Microbial Diseases of Nervous System & Eyes Pt. 3 Flashcards
What is a prion?
Infectious protein
Cruetzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD), variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD), kuru (humans, scrapie (sheep/goats), and mad cow disease (cows) are all what kind of disease?
Spongiform encephalopathies
What happens to the brain with spongiform encephalopathies?
Leaves brains full of holes
What are the symptoms of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)?
Insomnia, weight loss, memory failure, progressive
What causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Abnormal form of prion
vCJD is considered what kind of disease currently?
Emerging/re-emerging disease
How is vCJD acquired?
Eating BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) contaminated beef
Signs and symptoms of vCJD are sometimes confused with what other conditions during diagnosis?
Other forms of dementia in elderly
How can vCJD be treated and prevented?
No treatment; avoidance of prion contaminated meat
What are the signs and symptoms of trachoma?
Dead conjunctiva cells trigger purulent discharge and conjunctival scarring leading to eyelids turning inward, eyelashes abrading, irritation, scarred cornea, and invasion of blood vessels
What is the eventual result of trachoma?
Blindness
What is the leading cause of nontraumatic blindness in humans?
Trachoma
What population is specifically at risk for trachoma?
Children usually during childbirth
What is the pathogen responsible for trachoma?
Chlamydia tracomatis
How can trachoma occur in adults?
Bacterial transfer from genitals to eyes via fomites or fingers
How can trachoma be treated?
Antibiotics and surgical correction of deformities (can sometimes prevent blindness)
How is trachoma diagnosed?
Identifying bacteria at site of infection
A sty is a form of what condition?
Folliculitis
What specific structure is infected with a sty?
Sebaceous glands near the eye
What pathogens are responsible for a sty?
Staph aureus (most commonly) and also Staph epidermidis
What are the other names for Loa Loa Filariasis?
Subcutaneous filariasis or loiasis
Does Loa Loa Filariasis impair vision?
No; can cause pain when moving about the eyeball or across the bridge of the nose
What is the classic sign for Loa Loa Filaloriasis?
Calabar swellings (red, itchy swelling below the skin of the eye)
What is the pathogen responsible for Loa Loa Filaloriasis?
Nematode (roundworm) Loa Loa
Loa Loa Filaloriasis is restricted to what location?
West Africa
What are the vectors for Loa Loa Filaloriasis?
Deer fly or Mango fly
How is Loa Loa Filaloriasis treated and prevented?
Antihelminthics or surgical methods to remove worm; prevents with antihelminthic prophylaxis
What condition is also known as River Blindness?
Onchocerciasis
What are the signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis?
Long term corneal inflammation, or keratitis, leads to thickening of the corneal stroma ultimately leading to blindness
What is the pathogen responsible for River Blindness?
Nematode Onchocerca volvulus
What is the usual continent where River Blindness is seen?
Africa
What is the vector for River Blindness?
Black fly
