AGENT

Dr Sara T

WHAT IS A AGENT ?

Cause of disease ?

DETERMINANTS OF DISEASE
Agent Host Environment

Substance living or non living or a force tangible or intangible , the excessive presence or relative lack of which may initiate or perpetuate a disease process. Single agent , number of independent agents , complex of two or more agents.

TYPES (CLASSIFICATION

) OF AGENT ?

What can be the causes of a disease ?

CLASSIFICATION OF AGENTS
1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6.

7.

Biological agents Nutrient agents Physical agents Chemical agents Mechanical agents Absence or insufficiency or excess of a factor necessary to health Social agents

1) BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
Viruses , fungi , bacteria. Exhibit properties : a. Infectivity b. Pathogenicity c. Virulence Case fatality rate.

2.NUTRITIVE AGENT
Proteins , fats , carbohydrates , vitamins , minerals and water. Excess or deficiency Nutritional disorder. Protein energy malnutrition , anaemia , goiter etc.

3)PHYSICAL AGENTS

Heat , cold , radiation , sound , electricity , humidity etc.

4)MECHANICAL AGENTS Exposure to chronic friction crushing , tearing , sprains , dislocation.

5)CHEMICAL AGENTS

ENDOGENOUS Chemicals produced inside the body as a result of derangement of functions. Uric acid (gout) , Calcium carbonate (kidney stones) etc. EXOGENOUS Agents arising outside of human host. Allergens , metals , fumes , dust , gases etc.

6) ABSENCE OR INSUFFICIENCY OR EXCESS OF A FACTOR NECESSARY TO HEALTH

a) b) c)

d)
e) f)

Chemical agents - Hormones (insulin , enzymes) Nutrient factors Lack of structure ( e.g thymus) Lack of part of structure (cardiac defects) Chromosomal factors (turner syndrome) Immunological factors

7)SOCIAL AGENTS
Poverty Smoking Unhealthy life styles Abuse of drugs