Epidemiology Flashcards
What red-flag infections are associated with Guinea?
Ebola
What red-flag infections are associated with Nigeria?
Lassa virus
What red-flag infections are associated with the Demogratic Republic of Congo?
Ebola (and measles)
What time of year is S.pneumoniae most common?
Winter/early spring
What time of year is N.meningitidis most common?
Winter (here), dry season in the tropics.
What is the epidemiology of Malassezia furfur?
Worldwide. Most prevalent in tropical/subtropical areas. Colonizes the outer (keratinised) layers of skin, hair, and nails.
Epidemiology of Sporothrix schenckii?
Found in soil and decaying vegetation. Introduced into the subcutaneous tissue via a puncture wound. Causes Lymphocutaneous Sporotrichosis. Most commonly in warmer climates. Endemic in Japan, Mexico, North/South America. Infection is most prevalent amongst forest workers, miners,gardeners.
What is the epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica?
Worldwide; more common in tropical/subtropical regions (ie. South East Asia) and in areas of poor sanitation and contaminated water.
Infections are particularly common in:
- Military & refugee camps
- Prisons
- Crowed day care centres.
Epidemiology of Trypansoma brucei gambiense and T. brucei rhodesiense?
- Trypansoma brucei gambiense (West Africa). - T. brucei rhodesiense (East Africa).
What is the epidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi?
North, Central, and South America. The infective trypomastigote of T. cruzi is present in the feces of the reduviid (triatomine) bug.Bites usually occur around the eyes (conjunctiva), mouth, and other facial sites.
What is the epidemiology of Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum?
Soil, sandpits, or beaches with animal feces, in tropical/subtropical areas. The filariform larvae penetrate the skin and migrate no further; they remain trapped in the skin (weeks to months) and create serpentine tunnels.
Epidemiology of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi?
Endemic in Central Africa, many parts of Asia, Mediterranean coast, Haiti, Costa Rica, Brazil. Larvae migrate from initial bite to the lymphatic system (in arms, legs, groin) and grow into adults. 3 to 12 months after initial infection, males fertilise the females, which produce the microfilariae that spread to the bloodstream.
Epidemiology of Sarcoptes scabiei?
Epidemic occurrence in confined populations: - Daycare centres - Nursing homes - Military bases - Prisons
What are the risk factors for developing P. aeruginosa skin infections?
- in health care - immunocompromised
Blastomyces geographical distribution
Around Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Tenessee, N+S Carolinas, Mississipi, + Louisiana. Especially the Ohio + Mississippi River Valleys, Great Lakes, + St. Lawrence River + MN + ON (SW) + QC (SE) + NB
Coccidioides geographical distribution
Around California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Not in Canada.
Histoplasma geographical distribution
Around Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Tenessee, Missouris, Arkansas + all surrounding states (but less so). Especially the Ohio + Mississippi River Valleys. (Suspected around SoCal, Arizona, New Mexico)
What isthe most effective way to monitor treatment adherence for TB?
Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). A designated individual (e.g. HCW) provides the prescribed drugs + watches the patient swallow every dose. In Alberta, all active cases receive DOT.
What is the rate of TB in Alberta? Canada? Worldwide?
Alberta is at ~4.7. In Canada, we have one of the lowest rates at ~4.8 (but Nunavut is ~20). Globally, the rate of TB is about 140 cases per 100,000 (c. 2008).
What is the incubation period of TB before a TST will read positive?
8 weeks
What is an “epidemic”?
What is an “outbreak”?
Epidemic:An occurrence of localized cases of an illness above what’s normally expected(…relative to usual frequency of the disease in the same area, among the specified population, at the same season of the year).
Outbreak:An epidemic limited to localized increase in the incidence of a disease.
