Question

What does it mean when an infection is between 10,000 and 100,000 CFU per ml?

1) The infection is mild
2) The infection is moderate
3) The infection is severe
4) The infection is highly contagious

Answer 1

An infection with 10,000 to 100,000 CFU/ml does not specifically categorize the infection's severity or contagiousness, but rather indicates the bacterial load, which can influence the infection's potential severity. The severity depends on various factors, including the infection's nature, location, and the immune response of the host.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an infection has 10,000 to 100,000 colony-forming units (CFU) per ml, it suggests a relationship with the severity of infection, though the exact severity can vary depending on the site of infection and the host's immune response. For a healthy person, CD4+T cell counts are around 1,000 per microliter, but drop in a compromised immune system, affecting the response to an infection.

The number of CFUs is determined through microbial cultures and a method called serial dilution, aiming for counts on plates between 30-300 colonies for accuracy. Infections can range from local to systemic and are classified based on the spread of the pathogen in the body.

Essentially, a CFU range does not directly determine the infectiousness of a condition but relates to the quantitative assessment of bacteria involved in the infection, influencing its potential severity. Notably, CFU counts are not directly indicative of contagion level but rather the bacterial load.