Spirochetes Flashcards
spirochetes came from the word “spiro” and “chaete” which means
coiled and hair
slender, spiral-shaped bacteria containing one or more complete rotations that form a helix
spirochetes
this structures of spirochetes enables them to have a corkscrew motility; and which part of the organism is it located
periplasmic fibrils or axial filaments; located at the center of the organism
because spirochetes are small and thin, they cannot be seen in —
gram stain
genuses of spirochaetales that are associated with human diseases
treponema
borrelia
leptospira
this causes YAWS
Treponema pallidum subsp. Pertenue
YAWS is also called as
frambesia tropica
pian
parangi
paru
buba
bouba
this is the most prevalent nonvenereal trepanematoses
T pallidium subsp. Pertenue (Yaws)
how do T palladium sibsp. Pertuene infect humans
wound infection, breaks in the skin, skin contact, and something to do with hygiene
this is a nonvenereal chronic infection that causes BEJEL
T pallidum subsp. endemicum
this is transmitted via direct contact with active lesions, contaminated fingers, and eating or drinking utensils; also have something to do with hygiene and cleanliness
T pallidum subsp. endemicum
diseases caused by T. carteum
pinta
carate
mal de pinto
azul
this is a non venereal that can be transmitted via skin or mucuos membrane contact and associated with hypopigmented skin lesions
T. carteum
causes syphillis
T pallidum subsp. pallidum
derived from a fictional character “syphillus” from a poem by Girolamo Fracastoro entitled Girolamo Fracastoro; believed to be brought to Europe by a famous explorer
T pallidum subsp. pallidum
how can syphillis be transmitted
direct contact with active lesions
sexual contact
vertical transmission (2nd most common)
by transfusion of fresh blood from contaminated person
accidental needle stick
in the laboratory
this is frequently screened in blood bank
T pallidum subsp. pallidum
survival rate of syphillis in blood bank storage condition
they do not survive >48 hours
three stages of syphillis and its notable characteristica
Primary - chancre (painless, no exudate, ulcerated with raised firm edges and a smooth base)
Secondary - dissemination, signs ans symptoms of systemic illness, associated with “condyloma lata”; appearance of rash on the palms and soles
Tertiary - chronic and fatal, tissue destruction, take years (decades) to develop to tertiary, develop to cardiovascular syphillis, syphillitic gummas, and parenchymatous neurosyphillis
chancre (syphillis) is more prominent on males or females?
males
true or false: chancre can infect the mouth
true, when oral sex is performed
Laboratory diagnosis of trepanomatosis
Hard to culture
Drakfield microscopy (mainstream)
Direct sample of the chancre (lesion)
Fluorescence microscopy especially if tissue fluid that has been dried and fixed to slide
What labeled antibodies is specific for T. Pallidum for fluorescence microscopy
Fluorescin isothiocyantae (FITC) labeled antibodies is specific for T pallidum
True or false: serological diagnosis can be possible for diagnosis of trepanomatoses
True
Example is Rapid Plasma Reagent (RPR) Test- agglutination is positive
Relapsing fever epidemic (louse-borne); what is its reservoir; what is the vector
Borrelia recurrentis
Humans
Body louse (Pediculus humanus)
What causes relapsing fever endemic (tick-borne); what is its reservoir; what is the vector
Borrelia spp.
Rodents and soft shelled ticks
Soft shelled ticks (Ornithodoros spp.)
What causes lyme disease; what is its reservoir; what is the vector
Borrelia burgdorferi
Rodents, deer, domestic pets, hard-shelled ticks
Hard shelled ticks (Ixodes spp.)
It is the most common tick borne illness in north america and europe
What causes it?
What is its reservoir (tick)?
Lyme disease
B burgdoferi
Ixodes scapularis
Earliest stage of lyme disease begins —- following the bite of an infected tick
What does it cause?
1 week
Erythema migrans (target-like ro bulls eye appearance)
It is the collective term for neuroborreliosis and other symptoms
Bannwarth syndrome
Humans are the only known reservoir for this
Relapsinf fever caused by B recurrentis
What is this, Epidemic louse-borne fever that occurs worldwide because of the distribution of its vector; what is the vector?
Relapsing fever or epidemic louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF)
Vector is Pediculus humanus
Endemic tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) transmitted by ticks of the genus ——
Ornithodoros
True or false: B recurrentis infection can be transmitted from person to person
True because humans are the only known reservoir
In what stain is Borrelia seen under LM in blood smear
Giemsa stain
It can also be seen in phase contrast microscopy
In what stain is Borrelia seen under LM in blood smear
Giemsa stain
It can also be seen in phase contrast microscopy
This is an obligate aerobe that can be seen in silver stain
Leptospira interrogans serotype
What characteristic of L interrogans that differentiates it from other spirochetes
Hooked ends, thus the name interrogans
Enumerate Leptospirosis clinical syndromes
Mild virs like syndrome
Anicteric leptospirosis
Icteric leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)
What is sytemic with aseptic meningitis (anicteric or icteric)
Anicteric leptospirosis
This is an overwhelmng disease (Weil’s disease) that causes vascular collapse, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, and hepatic and renal dysfunction
Icteric leptospirosis (icteric refers to jaundice and liver involvement)
If you swim on infected waters then develop jaundice after several days, what could be the cause
Icteric leptospirosis
What is the ideal specimen for leptospirosis
Urine
This is mainly a zoonotic disease caused by wild and domesticated animals (rodents, rats, dogs, farm animals)
Leptospirosis
Mode of transmission of leptospirosis and where can you get it
Breaks in skin or intact mucous membrane
From indirect contact (soil, water, feed) with infected urine from an animal with leptospira
This is an occupational disease of animal handling
Leptospirosis
The only culturable spirochete
Leptospirosis, but immunoassays is commonly used
