Glossary

M

Memory T cells

Memory T cells are a subgroup of T lymphocytes. They are able to quickly react and protect the body in case of a repeated infection with the same pathogen.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain or the spinal cord, which can have different causes.

MERS

MERS stands for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and refers to an infection of the airways that is caused by the novel MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Methicillin-resistant

A bacterium that is methicillin-resistant can neutralize the effect of this antibiotic.

Microbiome

Microbiome refers to all of the microorganisms that colonise a person or another living being.

Microcephaly

Microcephaly is a condition where a person's head is smaller than average considering gender and age.

MicroRNA

MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules that influence gene expression and thereby protein biosynthesis.

monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that so far occurs mainly in Africa. The virus is related to the human smallpox virus, but is significantly less dangerous.

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis is an infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

Mortality

Mortality refers to the number of deaths in a certain period of time, scaled to the size of the population