Diseases Caused by Microorganisms

Food and water can be contaminated by microorganisms and when consumed can lead to such disease as cholera and typhoid. Microorganisms can be transmitted by droplets released into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or spits. They are transmitted through the respiratory system. The influenza virus and the mycobacterium causing tuberculosis are transmitted this way.

Animals that carry disease causing pathogens and transmit them to humans are known as vectors. Mosquitoes and flies are vectors for various disease causing microorganisms. The house fly transmits the cholera bacteria Vibrio cholerae by contaminating our exposed foods and drinking water. The female anopheles mosquito transmits the protozoan. Plasmodium sp. that causes malaria by biting an infected person and then transmitting the protozoan to a healthy person by biting him or her.

Microorganisms like certain fungus and bacteria that can kill and inhibit the growth of other microorganisms especially pathogens are used in the production of antibiotic. Penicilin the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming is produced by the fungus known as Penicillium notatum.

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