Lecture 4 and 5: Immune Compromised Individuals and Risks

Question 1

What components of the immune system are important defenses against pathogens?

Answer 1

physical, innate (neutrophils and macrophages), Acquired immunity (cell mediated T and B cells)

Question 2

List some individuals that are potentially immune compromised.

Answer 2

Pregnant females, children, elderly, stressed, malnourished, chemotherapy patients, transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, patients with chronic disease

Question 3

Why are reptiles and amphibians bad for kids?

Answer 3

because they are natural carriers of salmonella (normal flora of the GI tract) that kids can get from inproper hand washing and lack of supervision

Question 4

When are HIV/AIDs patients more at risk with coming down with severe disease?

Answer 4

when HIV turns into AIDS

Question 5

How many people in the United States have HIV/AIDS and how many do not know they have it?

Answer 5

11 million have it, 1.7 million don’t know they have it

Question 6

Why are pregnant females more susceptible to infection from pathogens?

Answer 6

because they have decreased CD4 and increased CD8

Question 7

What percentage of miscarriages are due to infectious causes?

Answer 7

10-25%

Question 8

What pathogens are of great concern to pregnant females?

Answer 8

Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria monocytogenes, Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia, Brucella, Lyme/Lepto, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Question 9

How can pregnant women get infected with Toxoplasma gondii?

Answer 9

cats, vegetables, sheep, soil, meat (undercooked pork and beef), water

Question 10

True or False: The risk of getting Toxoplasma gondii from cats is low.

Answer 10

True because they only shed once

Question 11

Will a pregnant female be at more of risk for negative effects of Toxoplasma gondii before or after conception?

Answer 11

after conception

Question 12

What can Toxoplasma gondii cause in pregnant females?

Answer 12

miscarriage, congenital defects, premature delivery

Question 13

How is Toxoplasma gondii infection prevented?

Answer 13

Clean litter box every 24 hours, wash your hands, cook your meat, wear gloves, keep cat indoors, don’t let cats hunt

Question 14

How can pregnant females get Listeria monocytogenes?

Answer 14

raw milk, raw cheese, soft cheese, deli meats, and hot dogs

Question 15

What can Listeria monocytogenes cause in pregnant females?

Answer 15

miscarriage, premature delivery, fetal death, and death for the pregnant female

Question 16

How can pregnant females get Coxiella burnetii?

Answer 16

livestock, cats, aerosol, splashes, aiding birthing of animals

Question 17

What can Coxiella burnetii cause in pregnant females?

Answer 17

miscarriage, premature delivery

Question 18

What does Chlamydia cause in pregnant females?

Answer 18

miscarriage, premature delivery, pregnant female’s death

Question 19

How can pregnant females get Brucella?

Answer 19

consuming unpasteurized dairy products

Question 20

What is a common sign of a Brucella infection?

Answer 20

undulate fever

Question 21

What can Brucella cause in pregnant females?

Answer 21

miscarraige

Question 22

What can Leptospirosis cause in pregnant females?

Answer 22

miscarriage and fetal death

Question 23

What can Lyme disease cause in pregnant females?

Answer 23

miscarriage and premature delivery

Question 24

What is the source of Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus?

Answer 24

feces, saliva, and urine from the house mouse and pet rodents

Question 25

What can Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in pregnant females?

Answer 25

congenital defects and miscarriage

Question 26

How can the spread of pathogens to pregnant females be prevented?

Answer 26

• Don’t adopt young animals, they should be older than a year of age
• Reconsider eating deli meats, hot dogs, or soft cheeses
• cut nails of animals to prevent injury
• routine fecals
• bring animal to vet if there are problems