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Flesh-eating bacteria
Flesh-eating bacteria A popular media term for a type of strep bacteria (group A streptococcus) which rapidly destroys tissue and left untreated causes death. Surgical excision of dead and infected tissue is usually necessary to help control the infection. The rapid spread and destruction of tissue caused by these bacteria is thought due to a combination of factors related to a protective coat and other substances produced by the bacteria.
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Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
Tissue
Biological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function.The study of tissues is known as histology, or, in connection with disease, histopathology.The classical tools for studying the tissues are the wax block, the tissue stain, and the optical microscope, though developments in electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and frozen sections have all added to the sum of knowledge in the last couple of decades.
Death
1. The end of life. The cessation of life. (These common definitions of death ultimately depend upon the definition of life, upon which there is no consensus.) 2. The permanent cessation of all vital bodily functions. (This definition depends upon the definition of "vital bodily functions.") See: Vital bodily functions. 3. The common law standard for determining death is the cessation of all vital functions, traditionally demonstrated by "an absence of spontaneous respiratory and cardiac functions." 4. The uniform determination of death.
Excision
1. Surgical removal, as in the excision of a tumor. 2. The removal as if by surgery, as in base excision repair.
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
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Flaviviridae
A family of viruses transmitted by mosquitos and ticks that cause some important diseases, including dengue, yellow fever, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and West Nile fever. The flaviviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses containing three structural proteins and a host-derived lipid bilayer.
Flavivirus
A family of viruses transmitted by mosquitos and ticks that cause some important diseases, including dengue, yellow fever, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and West Nile fever. The flaviviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses containing three structural proteins and a host-derived lipid bilayer.
Flavivirus encephalitis
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) due to a flavivirus, a virus transmitted by a mosquito or tick. Flavivirus encephalitis includes West Nile fever, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and Murray Valley encephalitis. These diseases typically develop after an incubation period of 5 to 15 days. The neurologic manifestations depend on which part of the nervous system is infected -- the meninges (to cause meningitis), the body of the brain (encephalitis), or the spinal cord (myelitis). The more important features include a reduced level of consciousness, which may be associated with seizures, a flaccid (floppy) paralysis resembling that of poliomyelitis, and parkinsonian movement disorders.
Flavoproteins
Flavoproteins are yellow proteins that serve as enzymes critical to the ability of cells in the body to respire, to breath. (The "flavo-" is borrowed from the Latin "flavus", yellow). Flavoproteins are, in other words, respiratory enzymes. As enzymes they catalyze (speed) what are technically termed oxidation-reduction reactions. The first yellow enzyme was discovered.
Flax seed
The seed of the common flax plant (also known as linseed and, botanically, Linum usitatissimum). Flax seed and flax seed oil are a rich souce of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), the only one of the omega-3 fatty acids that is essential in the sense that the body cannot make it so, if one is to get it, it must be in the diet.
Flesh-eating bacteria
Flexion
The process of bending or the state of being bent. Flexion of the fingers results in a clenched fist.
Flexural psoriasis
A form of psoriasis found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other flexion creases (skin folds) such as those around the genitals and buttocks. This form of psoriasis appears as smooth, dry areas of skin that are red and inflamed but do not have the scaling associated with plaque psoriasis (the most common type of psoriasis). Flexural psoriasis is more frequent and severe in people who are overweight because it is in the skin folds where it is particularly prone to irritation from rubbing and sweating. Also called inverse psoriasis.
Floating rib
One of the last two ribs. A rib is said to be "floating" if it does not attach to the sternum (the breast bone) or to another rib. There are usually 12 pairs of ribs in all. Each pair of ribs is attached to the building blocks of the spine (the vertebrae) in the back. The 12 pairs of ribs consist of: True ribs: The first seven ribs attach to the sternum (the breast bone) in the front and are known as true (or sternal) ribs and False ribs: The lower five ribs do not directly connect to the sternum and are known as false ribs. The upper three false ribs connect to the costal cartilages of the ribs just above them. The last two false ribs, however, usually have no ventral attachment (no anchor at all in front) and are called floating, fluctuating or vertebral ribs.
Floating-Harbor syndrome
A genetic condition characterized by the triad of short stature apparent at birth with significantly delayed bone age; expressive language delay, usually in the presence of normal motor development; and a triangular face with a prominent nose and deep-set eyes. Other features include posteriorly rotated ears, long eyelashes, thin lips, broad downturned mouth, short neck, low posterior hairline, celiac disease, joint laxity, curved fifth finger (clinodactyly), and hirsutism (hairiness).
Floppy baby syndrome
A general medical reference to an abnormal condition of newborns and infants manifested by inadequate tone of the muscles. It can be due to a multitude of different neurologic and muscle problems. See also Hypotonia.
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