Last Minute Lecture

Person-to-Person Bacterial and Viral Diseases — Airborne, Contact, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Explained | Chapter 31 from Brock Biology of Microorganisms Which bacterial and viral diseases are spread directly between people, and how are they diagnosed, prevented, or treated? Chapter 31 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms surveys common airborne, direct-contact, and sexually transmitted infections, focusing on transmission routes, symptoms, pathogens, and public health strategies including vaccination and drug therapy. Watch the full video summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more textbook chapter breakdowns! Airborne Bacterial Diseases Several significant bacterial pathogens are transmitted via airborne droplets: Streptococcus pyogenes: Causes strep throat, which can progress to scarlet fever or rheumatic fever. Streptococcus pneumoniae: Common cause of pneumonia, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised. Corynebacterium d...

Epidemiology and Public Health — Disease Patterns, R₀, Herd Immunity, and Emerging Threats Explained | Chapter 30 from Brock Biology of Microorganisms How do scientists track and control the spread of infectious diseases—and what tools protect populations from outbreaks and pandemics? Chapter 30 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms unpacks the principles of epidemiology, including disease incidence, transmission, public health interventions, and strategies for emerging and reemerging diseases. This summary connects foundational terms and concepts to real-world public health efforts, including the CDC's disease surveillance and global preparedness. Watch the full video summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more in-depth chapter breakdowns! Epidemiological Concepts: Measuring and Understanding Disease Epidemiology is the scientific study of how diseases affect populations. Key metrics include: Incidence: Number of new cases in a specific time pe...

Diagnosing Infectious Diseases — Laboratory Methods, ELISA, PCR, and Antibiotic Testing Explained | Chapter 29 from Brock Biology of Microorganisms How do clinicians accurately detect and identify infectious agents to guide treatment? Chapter 29 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms provides a comprehensive overview of clinical microbiology diagnostics, including traditional culture methods, advanced immunological assays, and rapid molecular techniques. This summary covers laboratory safety, specimen handling, immunoassays like ELISA, nucleic acid testing such as PCR, and how labs determine antibiotic susceptibility. Watch the full video summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more essential textbook breakdowns! Clinical Safety and Healthcare Environments To protect laboratory workers and patients, strict protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) are standard. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in about 10% of patients, often caused by...