(A). Hand-foot-mouth disease
(B). Herpes labialis
(C). Infectious mononucleosis
(D). Candidiasis
- Candidiasis is caused by the fungus Candida albicans.
- Herpes labialis is caused by a group of viruses called human herpes viruses.
- Hand foot mouth disease is caused by the Coxsackie virus.
- Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
Since we are talking about microorganisms, let’s review them in a little more detail to get ready for the dental hygiene board exams (NBDHE, NHDCE, WREB, CDCA, CSCE).
Bacteria are the simplest of creatures that are considered alive. Bacteria lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other internal structures and are therefore ranked among the unicellular life forms called prokaryotes. Most prokaryotes reproduce via binary fission, a process in which the cell grows in volume until it divides in half to yield two identical daughter cells.
Virus is a small microorganism that requires a host (animals, plants, or bacteria) to inject its RNA or DNA to reproduce. Viruses are not plants, animals, or prokaryote bacteria, and are placed in their own kingdom.
Fungus (plural fungi) can be mold, mushrooms, yeasts, etc. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms (contain membrane-bound organelles and clearly defined nuclei). Fungi are everywhere in very large numbers - soil, air, the human body, etc. They reproduce by forming vast quantities or spores.
Protozoa is a group of mostly motile unicellular eukaryotic organisms.
Answer: (D). Candidiasis
Note that is important to memorize which condition is caused by which microorganism. The Dental Hygiene Board Exams (NBDHE, NDHCE) love to ask those types of questions. Medical conditions and their etiology (cause) are presented in more detail in the chapter on Oral Pathology at StudentRDH dental hygiene board exams review course. A few examples:
- Herpetic lesions: caused by the human herpes viruses (HHVs). Oral infections are caused by type 1 and genital infections by type 2.
- Chicken pox and shingles: both caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
- Herpangina: caused by the Coxsackie
This is a lot of information to remember for the dental hygiene board exams, so start making notes whenever you see a condition and understand which “little guy (microorganism)” triggered it. Dental Hygiene school is NO joke and the national dental hygiene board exams is especially very demanding. So keep trying!
Mini Boards Reviews for the National + Local Anesthesia Dental Hygiene Boards. Weekly Sample Questions at www.StudentRDH.com. Find COMPLETE review courses too. “I wish I did not spend money on other review courses!” – Bethany, Bergen CC, March 2016