2-Zoonoses: Aerosol & Respiratory Transmission Flashcards
Do enzootic bacterial “category A” agents have one route of infection or multiple routes of infection?
What makes them potential bioweapons?
- Multiple routes of infection.
- Their aerosol potential makes them “bioweapons”.
What is a cosmopolitan intracellular bacterium that affects humans and animals?
Francisella tularensis
What are 3 species that can be affected by Francisella tularensis?
- Humans
- Domestic cats
- Sheep
What is the primary, long-term reservoir of Francisella tularensis?
Rodents and lagomorphs (“rabbit fever”)
How is Francisella tularensis transmitted in sheep?
Usually tick-borne
How is Francisella tularensis transmitted in cats?
Usually from eating infected rodents.
How is Francisella tularensis transmitted in people?
Most often tick or direct contact with animals/carcasses, aerosol exposure less often.
Are urban human cases of Yersinia pestis rare or common?
Rare so long as there is aggressive rodent control.
Infected domestic animals can serve as a “bridge” between what?
Wildlife and human populations.
What is the primary cycle of the plague?
Rodent-flea-rodent
What are 6 examples of potential hosts for the plague?
- Squirrels
- Prairie dogs
- Mice
- Wood rats
- Chipmunks
- Rats
How many different species of flea are competent vectors for the plague?
31
What is the most common flea vector of the plague?
Xenopsylla cheopis (oriental rat flea)
Which species is susceptible to the plague and can infect people?
Cats
When are cats usually exposed to the plague?
While hunting/eating rodents.
What are 2 examples of predators that can be infected by the plague?
- Cougars
- Birds of prey
With the plague, coyotes and dogs seroconvert but are rarely what?
ill
What are 3 ways people can be infected by the plague?
- Flea bite
- Aerosol from pneumonic cases of plague
- Directly from infected animal blood or abscesses?
What is the most common way people can be infected by the plague?
Directly from infected animal blood or abscesses.
Cats that are allowed to do what can be exposed to the plague and tularemia?
Forage outside
The bacteria that cause both plague and tularemia can cause localized infection followed by what 3 things?
- Sepsis
- Endotoxemia
- Pneumonia
What might the plague cause at the site of skin entry?
A necrotic eschar
Which can cause lymphadenopathy of draining lymph nodes, the plague, tularemia or both?
Both
Pulmonary involvement in the plague and tularemia can lead to what?
Aerosol spread