Vector-Borne Disease

Question 1

What animals can be vectors of disease?

Answer 1

Mosquitos
Ticks
Flies
Bugs

Question 2

Lyme Disease:

It is infection of various Borrelia species, which is a spirochete. What type of pathogen is it?

What vector transmits this?

How long does the vector usually have to be attached to cause infection?

What part of the world is it found?

What time fo the yr is it commonest?

Answer 2

Bacteria

Ticks

> 24 hrs

Northern Europe
US

Basically limited to Northern Hemisphere

Summer

Question 3

Lyme Disease:

Early/localised (3-30 days after bite):

They get an erythema migrans rash.

• Where does it occur?
• What can it be compared to in terms of the way it looks?
• What flu-like symptoms do they have? - 4

Answer 3

At the site of the bite

A bullseye 
-----
Fever 
Fatigue 
Myalgia 
Arthralgia

Question 4

Lyme Disease:

Early disseminated (wks - months after bite):
- Neuroborreliosis is a neurological manifestation of Lyme disease. What is it?

• They can also get Carditis which can cause heart blocks and myocarditis - RARE!!!

Late disseminated (months - yrs after bite):

• Where does it cause pain?
• Acrodermatitis chronic arophicans - What is it?

Answer 4

Meningitis
Neuropathies inc. CN7
Amnesia

Lyme Arthritis - especially knees

Fibrosing skin disease of extremities

Question 5

Lyme Disease:

Clinical diagnosis is made with the rash and a recent bite history.

How can it be confirmed via testing?

What AB is given is prescribed?

How can it be prevented?

Answer 5

Serology - ELISA (ImG and IgG)

Doxycycline PO 10-21 days

Keep limbs covered
Use insect repellent (DEET)
Inspect skin and remove ticks (use tweezers, hold close to head/mouth)

Remove ticks using a tweezer, hold close to head/mouth

Question 6

Rickettsial Infection:

Presentation:

• What flu-like symptoms do they get? - 3
• What are some signs that they have been infected?

How is it investigated?

It is caused by a range of bacteria. What AB is used for Rx?

Answer 6

Fever
Headaches
Myalgia

Bite mark
Rash
Lymphadenitis

Serology

Doxycycline

Question 7

Rickettsial Infection:

There are a range of vectors depending on the areas.

R.africae:

• What is the common name for this?
• What animal do the ticks come from?

R. Conorii (Mediterranean, India and Africa):

• What is the common name for this?
• What animal do the ticks come from?

There is also Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Typhus

Answer 7

Cattle

African tick-bite fever

The Mediterranean spotted/tick bite fever

Dog ticks

Question 8

There are a range of other vector-borne diseases!!!

CAN LOOK AT PAGE 422-423 FOR MORE INFO

Answer 8

There are a range of other vector-borne diseases!!!

CAN LOOK AT PAGE 422-423 FOR MORE INFO