Transmission of Pathogens

Some pathogens can be cultured and identified using a microscope.Modern methods of identifying pathogens use monoclonal antibodies that recognise specific antigens on the pathogen.DNA sequencing can identify a specific strain of a virus.Pathogens are transmitted directly from one individual to another by:direct contact - kissing, contact with bodily fluids e.g. bacterial meningitis and sexually transmitted diseases.Skin to skin contact - ring worm and athlete's foot.microorganisms from faeces transmitted on the hands e.g. diarrhoeal diseases.inoculation - through a break in the skin e.g. during sex e.g. HIV/AIDS. from animal bites e.g. rabies, through a puncture wound through sharing needles e.g. septicaemiaingestion - taking in contaminated food or drink, transferring pathogens to the mouth from the hands e.g. amoebic dysentery, diarrhoeal diseasesor indirectly by:fomites - inanimate objects e.g. bedding, e.g. athlete's foot.droplet infection -Minute droplets of saliva and mucus are expelled from your mouth when you talk, cough or sneeze. If these droplets contain pathogens, when healthy individuals breathe in the droplets they become infected e.g. influenza, tuberculosisvectors - Vectors can be animals e.g. mosquitoes, rat fleas e.g. bubonic plague.