1. Discuss the role of the intestinal microbiota in the maintenance of health and the many opportunistic pathogens that cause disease when the delicate balance of normal microbiota in this region of the body is disturbed.
2. (Make a case study) This week's readings encompass a wide variety of diseases associated with infectious microbes. This week, we focus on the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. As we did last week, using the information in your text (and any other resources you choose), give your patient a disease associated with any of these systems and present the history and symptoms to the class. Be creative! Be sure to offer enough information to make an educated guess, but try not to give it away too soon! Each student should present a case. Be sure to let those who respond to your case know whether they correctly diagnosed the patient. In some cases, you might offer new test results midweek if the class is stumped!