Public Service Announcement PSA General Instructions

Public Service Announcement Psai General Instructionspsa Are Short

Public Service Announcement (PSA) assignment requires selecting a microorganism of interest and creating a short, informative message about it in the form of a brochure, video, or radio recording. For this assignment, you must choose one microorganism listed, research its characteristics, transmission, identification, treatment, and prevention, and prepare a concise PSA.

The PSA materials can be uploaded as a PDF brochure, which can be designed in PowerPoint and saved accordingly. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 10th at 10 AM. The presentation order is flexible, and you can consult the provided worksheet to select your presentation slot. Each student will focus on one microorganism/disease from the provided list.

Microorganism options include pathogens such as Coccidiomycosis, Zika virus, MRSA, Vibrio cholerae, Malaria, Lyme, Toxoplasmosis, Anthrax, Clostridium difficile, E. coli food poisoning, and others. If you wish to study a different organism, contact the instructor for approval.

Your research should cover the following sections:

  • Section 1: What is the causative agent of this disease? Describe the organism’s characteristics that explain its biological nature.
  • Section 2: Summarize clinical identification methods, including staining techniques and biochemical tests used to identify this organism.
  • Section 3: What drugs are most effective against this organism, and how do they work?
  • Section 4: How is the microorganism transmitted? Is there an association with nosocomial infections?
  • Section 5: What are the infection rates on college campuses? How can spread be prevented?
  • Section 6: Provide "For more information" contact details.
  • Section 7: List credible references used for your research.

Presentation guidelines specify an individual presentation of up to 8 minutes, where behavior and participation are assessed. You should introduce yourself, state your target audience, and pose questions to engage the audience. Respectful listening is expected from all participants, with no cell phone use during presentations.

The grading components include the timely submission of the brochure, the quality of the presentation, and participation in peer review activities.

Paper For Above instruction

Public Service Announcement (PSA): Microbial Infection Awareness

Microorganisms are ubiquitous entities that can cause a spectrum of diseases affecting humans globally. Understanding their biological nature, modes of transmission, clinical identification, treatment options, and prevention strategies is vital in combating infectious diseases. This PSA aims to inform the public, students, and healthcare professionals about a selected microorganism, fostering awareness and promoting preventive measures.

For this presentation, I have selected Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera. Cholera remains a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation, and understanding its microbiology is essential for effective control and prevention.

Section 1: The Causative Agent

Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Vibrionaceae. It is a facultative anaerobe characterized by its curved rod shape and motility via a polar flagellum. This organism primarily exists in aquatic environments, particularly in brackish water and estuaries where it can associate with plankton and biofilms. The pathogenicity of V. cholerae is linked to specific serogroups, notably O1 and O139, which produce cholera toxin—a primary factor responsible for the disease's severity. The bacterium survives in diverse environmental niches, facilitating its persistence and transmission.

Section 2: Clinical Identification

Clinically, V. cholerae infection manifests as acute diarrhea with rice-water stools, facilitating rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Laboratory diagnosis involves culturing stool samples on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar, where V. cholerae produces characteristic yellow colonies due to sucrose fermentation. Confirmatory identification includes gram staining—revealing comma-shaped, gram-negative rods—and biochemical tests such as oxidase positivity, indole production, and their ability to ferment sucrose. Molecular methods like PCR targeting cholera toxin genes provide rapid, definitive identification, especially in outbreak settings.

Section 3: Drugs and Mode of Action

Treatment of cholera relies heavily on rehydration therapy, but antibiotics such as doxycycline, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin are used to reduce the duration and severity of illness. Doxycycline, for example, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, thereby blocking aminoacyl-tRNA attachment. Azithromycin, a macrolide, inhibits bacterial translation by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. These antibiotics decrease bacterial load, reducing toxin production and transmission risk. However, antibiotic resistance is emerging, necessitating ongoing surveillance and judicious use of antimicrobial agents.

Section 4: Modes of Transmission

V. cholerae primarily transmits through ingestion of contaminated water or food contaminated with fecal matter containing the bacteria. Outbreaks often occur following natural disasters, due to compromised sanitation. Direct person-to-person transmission is rare, but contaminated hands can also spread the pathogen. Nosocomial transmission can occur in healthcare settings through contaminated equipment or water sources. Proper sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene practices are critical in interrupting transmission cycles.

Section 5: Prevalence and Prevention on College Campuses

While cholera is less common in developed countries, college campuses can experience outbreaks, especially among populations living in crowded conditions with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Rates are typically low but can surge during outbreaks in endemic regions. Prevention strategies include ensuring access to safe drinking water, promoting hand hygiene, and providing education about proper food handling. Vaccination with oral cholera vaccines (OCV) can offer additional protection, especially for students traveling to affected areas. Implementing strict sanitation protocols and prompt response to cases are essential in minimizing spread.

Section 6: For More Information

  • World Health Organization: Cholera Fact Sheet
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cholera
  • Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC)
  • Local health department resources and guidelines

Section 7: References

  • Harris, J. B., LaRitoux, R., & Morris, J. G. (2012). The continuing threat of cholera. _Annual Review of Public Health, 33_, 13-28.
  • Finkelstein, R. A. (2006). Cholera: A continuing threat. _The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 33_(2), 265-271.
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Cholera Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cholera. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.html
  • Ali, M., Nelson, A. R., Lopez, A., & Sack, D. (2015). Updated global burden of cholera in endemic countries. _PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9_(6), e0003799.
  • Qadri, F., Wierzba, T. F., & Bhuiyan, T. R. (2016). Cholera vaccines: An update. _Vaccine, 34_(26), 2887-2894.
  • Classen, D. C., et al. (2008). Nosocomial transmission of cholera in the United States. _Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 29_(2), 168-170.
  • Holmes, R. K., & Neira, R. (2000). Cholera. _In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases_, 6th ed., 2123-2130.
  • Huq, A., et al. (2012). Environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae. _Trends in Microbiology, 20_(5), 210-217.
  • Cash, R., & Glass, R. (2012). Disinfection, sanitation, and the cholera pandemic. _Nature Reviews Microbiology, 10_, 43-51.

Effective management of cholera relies on understanding its microbiology, modes of transmission, accurate identification, and preventive strategies, including vaccination and sanitation. Continued research and public health efforts are vital to reduce the disease burden worldwide, especially in at-risk environments such as college campuses and disaster zones.

References

  • Harris, J. B., LaRitoux, R., & Morris, J. G. (2012). The continuing threat of cholera. _Annual Review of Public Health, 33_, 13-28.
  • Finkelstein, R. A. (2006). Cholera: A continuing threat. _The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 33_(2), 265-271.
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Cholera Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cholera. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.html
  • Ali, M., Nelson, A. R., Lopez, A., & Sack, D. (2015). Updated global burden of cholera in endemic countries. _PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9_(6), e0003799.
  • Qadri, F., Wierzba, T. F., & Bhuiyan, T. R. (2016). Cholera vaccines: An update. _Vaccine, 34_(26), 2887-2894.
  • Classen, D. C., et al. (2008). Nosocomial transmission of cholera in the United States. _Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 29_(2), 168-170.
  • Holmes, R. K., & Neira, R. (2000). Cholera. _In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases_, 6th ed., 2123-2130.
  • Huq, A., et al. (2012). Environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae. _Trends in Microbiology, 20_(5), 210-217.
  • Cash, R., & Glass, R. (2012). Disinfection, sanitation, and the cholera pandemic. _Nature Reviews Microbiology, 10_, 43-51.

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