Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
H
Human Parvovirus B19
Human Parvovirus B19 is a small, non‑enveloped DNA virus in the genus Erythrovirus of the family Parvoviridae. It has a linear, single‑stranded DNA genome and...
Human Polyomavirus 6 (HPyV6)
Human polyomavirus 6 HPyV6 is a non‑enveloped double‑stranded DNA virus of the Polyomaviridae family. It was first identified in 2010 using rolling circle...
Human Polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7)
Human polyomavirus 7 HPyV7 is a non‑enveloped double‑stranded DNA virus in the Polyomaviridae family. It was identified in 2010 through rolling circle...
Human Polyomavirus 9 (HPyV9)
Human polyomavirus 9 HPyV9 is a non‑enveloped double‑stranded DNA virus belonging to the family Polyomaviridae. First identified in 2011 during polymerase...
Human Rhinovirus A
Human rhinovirus A HRV‑A is a non‑enveloped positive‑sense RNA virus belonging to the species Enterovirus alpharhino in the family Picornaviridae. As one of...
Human Rhinovirus B
Human Rhinovirus B is one of three species of human rhinoviruses HRV-A, HRV-B, and HRV-C belonging to the Picornaviridae family. It is a small, non‑enveloped...
Human Rhinovirus C
Human Rhinovirus C was first identified in 2006 as a previously unrecognized species of rhinovirus. It is a non‑enveloped positive‑sense RNA virus with a small...
Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus 1 (HTLV-1)
Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 HTLV‑1 is a human retrovirus belonging to the genus Deltaretrovirus, family Retroviridae. It has an enveloped particle containing...
Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus 2 (HTLV-2)
Human T-cell leukemia virus 2 HTLV‑2 is a human retrovirus belonging to the genus Deltaretrovirus, family Retroviridae. It is closely related to HTLV‑1 but...
Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus 3 (HTLV-3)
Human T-cell leukemia virus 3 HTLV‑3 is a human retrovirus classified within the genus Deltaretrovirus. It was first detected in 2005 in two asymptomatic...
Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus 4 (HTLV-4)
Human T-cell leukemia virus 4 HTLV‑4 is a rare human retrovirus in the genus Deltaretrovirus. It was described in 2005 from the blood of a healthy adult man in...
Humoral Immunity
Protective immune responses mediated by antibodies produced by B cells and by complement proteins circulating in body fluids. Explanation Humoral immunity is...
Hybridization Probe
A hybridization probe is a short labeled nucleic acid molecule used to detect specific sequences through base pairing with complementary DNA or RNA. Principle...
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity describes immunologic responses that cause host tissue damage due to exaggerated or inappropriate reactions to an antigen. Mechanisms and...
Hyperthermophile
Hyperthermophiles are microorganisms that grow optimally at temperatures above about 80 °C. They thrive in environments that would denature most proteins and...
I
Iatrogenic Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (iCJD)
Iatrogenic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease iCJD is an acquired prion disease caused by accidental transmission of pathogenic prion protein during medical or surgical...
ICU
Intensive care units are specialized hospital departments that provide comprehensive care and continuous monitoring for patients with life-threatening...
ID50 (Infectious Dose 50)
ID50 Infectious Dose 50 is the quantity of a pathogen required to infect 50 percent of a defined host population. Quantifying Pathogen Virulence In infectious...
IFA (Immunofluorescence Assay)
Immunofluorescence assays IFA use fluorescently labeled antibodies to detect specific antigens or antibodies in a sample when viewed under a fluorescence...
Immunity
Immunity is the capacity of an organism to resist infection or disease by recognizing and neutralizing pathogens or toxins. Explanation Immunity encompasses...
Immunization
Immunization is the process of inducing immunity to a disease by exposing the body to antigens or antibodies, typically through vaccination. Explanation...
Immunochromatographic Assay (Lateral Flow)
An immunochromatographic assay, commonly known as a lateral flow test, is a simple, rapid diagnostic device that uses antibodies immobilized on a membrane to...
Immunocompromised
Immunocompromised describes a state in which an individual’s immune system is weakened or impaired, reducing the ability to fight infections and disease....
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency refers to a condition in which the immune system cannot mount an adequate response to pathogens, leading to increased susceptibility to...