[Grace]

Thinking of your current or a past practice area provide an example of the train of transmission specific to that area. Fill in all ‘links’ in the chain with an example for each link:

Infectious Agent:

Reservoirs:

Portals of Exit:

Modes of Transmission:

Portals of Entry:

Susceptible Host:

[Rofiat]

Infectious Agent: MRSA
Reservoir : A patient with a wound infection colonized with MRSA.
Portal of Exit: Drainage from an infected wound.
Modes of Transmission : Healthcare worker’s hands after contact with the patient’s wound .
Portal of Entry : Another patient’s open wound , or catheter site.
Susceptible Host: A patient with a compromised immune system such as chronic illness,

[Yetunde]

very good example

[Wenpeng]

Yes, this is a good example.

[Yetunde]

infectious Agent: Clostridiodes difficile (C. diff)
Reservoir: A patient who has the c.diff bacteria in them
Portal of Exit: Through diarrhoea of the infected person
Modes of Transmission: touching surfaces infected with C. diff or feces contaminated with C. diff
Portal of Entry: this can be through hands, contaminated surfaces or objects
Susceptible Host: elderly people, people with low immune system

[Rosemary]

A very good and common example .

[Yanique]

Your discussion provides a clear and accurate description of the chain of infection for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Your analysis is well-detailed and aligns with the principles of infection prevention and control. Great job!

[Rosemary]

Infectious Agent: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff
Reservoirs: The gastrointestinal tract of an infected person, or commodes.
Portals of Exit: Frequent feces also known as diarrhea of a person infected.
Modes of Transmission: Contamination of infected surface by health care worker
Portals of Entry: lack of proper hygiene, when the hand come in contact with contaminated surfaces or materials and the hand gets into the mouth.
Susceptible Host: the elderly, immunocompromised patient, or patient who have stayed longer in the hospital

[Kimi]

Thank you for sharing. C.diff is very common and frequency happens in the health care setting.

[Tammy]

Good example! only with educational purposes I add this information: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of infected individuals or on contaminated surfaces in healthcare settings. It exits the body through feces, often in the form of diarrhea, and can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, hands, or medical equipment, particularly when proper hygiene is lacking. C. diff spores enter new hosts when they ingest contaminated material. Susceptible individuals include the elderly, immunocompromised patients, those on prolonged antibiotics, or individuals with long hospital stays.

[Kimi]

Infectious Agent: influenza
Reservoirs: patient with flu
Portals of Exit: patient coughing and sneezing
Modes of Transmission: direct touching, share medical equipment
Portals of Entry: person who inhales the virus, or through oral membrane
Susceptible Host: patients with weakened immune systems and chronic conditions

[Tammy]

Infectious Agent: Escherichia coli

Reservoirs: patient intestines and contaminated water, soil and food.

Portals of Exit: feces patient

Modes of Transmission: fecal and oral route due to poor or inadequate hygiene

Portals of Entry: mouth (ingestion) when water and food arecontaminated

Susceptible Host: young children. elderly adult, immunocompromised individiduals,Individuals with poor hygiene practices.

[Wafaa]

Hello Tammy,

Thank you for sharing your post! Escherichia coli is a serious infection that spreads, especially in healthcare settings. It is important to emphasize the need for strict hand hygiene and surface cleaning to prevent contamination.

[Rose]

Hello Tammy, great overview of the chain of transmission of E. coli.
I just like to add a few facts: E. coli is a diverse group of bacteria, and while most strains are harmless, some can cause severe foodborne illness. Symptoms of E. coli infection usually include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Common sources of contamination are foods like undercooked ground beef and unpasteurized milk. To help prevent infection, cooking food thoroughly and practicing good hygiene, like washing hands regularly and keeping kitchen surfaces clean is important. By doing these things, we can lower the chances of getting sick from E. coli. Thanks for sharing!
Best, Rose

[Wafaa]

Infectious Agent:
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) bacteria.
Reservoirs:
Infected patient in medicine floor.
Portals of Exit:
Feces from patients with C. diff, especially during diarrhea.
Modes of Transmission:
Fecal-oral route, spread via contaminated surfaces or hands.
Portals of Entry:
Ingestion through contaminated hands or surfaces, or through mucous membranes.
Susceptible Host:
Older adult patients, weakened immune systems, or patients on broad-spectrum antibiotics.

[Rose]

Infectious Agent: Norovirus
Reservoirs: Contaminated food such as raw oysters, leafy greens or surfaces such as kitchen counters, and bathroom fixtures where the virus can survive.
Portals of Exit: The virus exits the infected person through vomit or feces, contaminating surfaces or food.
Modes of Transmission: The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth.
Portals of Entry: The virus enters a new host through the mouth when contaminated food or water is ingested or through contact with contaminated surfaces that are then touched and brought to the mouth.
Susceptible Host: Individuals with weakened immune systems, young children, or the elderly who may be more susceptible to the effects of the virus and its symptoms.

[Hauwa]

That is a nice example.

[Nicole]

Hi rose,

Thank you for sharing your example of Norovirus.
This virus (among many others) really highlights not only the importance of excellent hand hygeine at all moments during patient/client care, but also the importance of excellent hand hygeine prior to putting anything near our faces or mouths and ensuring thorough cleaning of surfaces and (certain) foods we are consuming.

[Hauwa]

Infectious Agent: Influenza virus
This virus causes the flu, a common respiratory infection that can spread in community care settings.

Reservoirs: Infected clients or caregivers
The virus resides in the respiratory tract of individuals who are infected, even if they are asymptomatic.

Portals of Exit: Respiratory droplets
When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, respiratory droplets containing the virus are expelled.

Modes of Transmission: Droplet transmission or contact transmission
The virus can spread directly via inhalation of droplets or indirectly by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face (eyes, nose, or mouth).

Portals of Entry: Mucous membranes
The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, or eyes.

Susceptible Host: Elderly or immunocompromised clients
Clients receiving community care are often more vulnerable to infections due to age, chronic illnesses, or weakened immune systems.

[Rofiat]

Nice response

[Wenpeng]

Infectious Agent: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Reservoirs: patient with RSV
Portals of Exit: eyes, nose, mouth
Modes of Transmission: coughing, sneezing, laughing, talking, touching a surface with RSV
Portals of Entry: eyes, nose, or mouth
Susceptible Host: persons with weak immune system, or exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, and indoor crowding with increased risk

[Olubukola]

I agree, individuals in an overcrowded space are susceptible to infections even without being immunocompromised.

[Olubukola]

Infectious Agent: Covid-19 virus

Reservoirs: infected patient

Portals of Exit: mouth, nose

Modes of Transmission: sneezing

Portals of Entry: inhalation, contact with the mouth

Susceptible Host: cancer patient

[Komalpreet]

Hello Tammy,
Thanks for sharing E. coli. It’s a great example to explain the chain of transmission.

[Yanique]

Infectious Agent: Influenza virus

Reservoirs: Humans with active influenza infection (caregivers or residents)

Portals of Exit: Respiratory droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing

Modes of Transmission: Airborne transmission via droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces

Portals of Entry: Nasal mucosa or respiratory tract

Susceptible Host: An individual with a weakened immune system, such as an elderly person or someone with chronic illness

[Komalpreet]

Komalpreet Kaur

Infectious agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis- the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.
Reservoirs:
Human – individuals with active tuberculosis
Portals of exit:
Respiratory tract – the bacteria spreaded when an infected person cough, sneeze
Mode of transmission-
TB is transmitted through the air when infectious droplets containing the bacteria are inhaled by others
Portals of entry:
Respiratory tract- the bacteria enters via lungs when infectious droplets inhaled by someone
Susceptible Host:
Immunocompromised individuals- the individuals with low immunity, elderly people are more risk at contacting TB

[Nicole]

Infectious agent: Covid-19
Reservoirs: People; symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals positive for the virus
Portals of exit: typically via coughing, sneezing, speaking
Mode of transmission: respiratory droplets (coughing, AGMPs), contaminated surfaces
Portals of entry: airway, eyes, nose, mouth
Susceptible Host: anyone

References
Canada, P. H. A. of. (2024). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html

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