Vectorborne Diseases

Question 1

Rickettsia rickettssi: What does the rash look like?

Answer 1

iv. Red, spotted rash. Pinpoint rashes.

Question 2

Mechanism of tetanus toxin

Answer 2

• Production of AB exotoxin, tetanospasmin, responsible for symptoms
• Travels via bloodstream & lymphatic system to central nervous system
• Prevents muscle relaxation
• Blocks release of glycine from interneurons, resulting in constant release of acetylcholine = uncontrolled muscle contraction

Question 3

Clostridium tetani: Characteristic symptoms

Answer 3

lock jaw
muscle spasm
convulsions

Question 4

Tetanus endospores are able to germinate in humans because of what type of environment?

Answer 4

Once inside the body the anoxic environment allows germination of the spores and growth of the bacterium

Question 5

Yersinia pestis: Bubonic Plague

Answer 5

bite form infected flea
Symptoms:
fever, headache, chills, weakness, & swollen/painful lymph nodes (buboes)

will develop into septicemia once in bloodstream

Question 6

Yersinia pestis: Septicemic Plague

Answer 6

bacteria is in bloodstream either directly or via untreated bubonic

Symptoms:
fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, bleeding into skin and other organs
Skin and other tissue may turn black and die, especially fingers, toes, & nose

Question 7

Yersinia pestis: Pneumonic plague

Answer 7

results from inhaling infectious droplets or from untreated septicemic or bubonic

Shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, bloody or watery mucous

Respiratory failure & shock

Question 8

buboes

Answer 8

swollen lymph nodes due to bubonic plague

Question 9

Yersinia effector proteins (Yops)

Answer 9

inhibit phagocytosis

Question 10

Bacillus anthracis: cutaneous anthrax

Answer 10

Most common & least dangerous

100% survival with treatment; 20% mortality in untreated
Transmission: spores enter through break in the skin

Begins as small itchy blister at site of infection

Can develop into a boil-like skin lesion with a black center = eschar

Which can become large and necrotic (black = dead skin)

Question 11

Bacillus anthracis: Inhalation Anthrax

Answer 11

Most severe & almost always fatal

inhale bacteria spores

Stage 1 – bacteria infects the lymph nodes in the lungs causing fluid accumulation in the chest cavity

Stage 2 – pneumonia; infection spreads from lymph nodes to lungs

Question 12

Bacillus anthracis: Gastrointestinal anthrax

Answer 12

Rarest form

Transmission: ingesting anthrax-infected meat

Disease results after bacterium invade GI system & spreads in bloodstream & throughout body producing toxin

inflammation of GI tract (pain & swelling), loss of appetite, sores on the back of the throat

Question 13

Bacillus anthracis: injection anthrax

Answer 13

via needles. similar symptoms as cutaneous anthrax

Question 14

What are Negri bodies

Answer 14

Round/oval inclusions in cytoplasm of nerve cells caused by Rabies virus

Question 15

Rabies symptoms

Answer 15

i. Hallucinations
ii. Depression
iii. Anxiety
iv. Easily agitated
v. Slight paralysis

Question 16

Zika virus: what is microcephaly

Answer 16

unusual head size

Question 17

Zika Virus: What are the modes of transmission?

Answer 17

Mosquito
sexual transmission
mother to fetus
asymptomatic blood transfusion

Question 18

Who is at risk for developing microcephaly?

Answer 18

fetus, newborn

Question 19

Prevention methods against Zika

Answer 19

mosquito repellent

safe sex

Question 20

West Nile: Definition of encephalitis

Answer 20

inflammation/ swelling of the brain

Question 21

West Nile symptoms

Answer 21

NO SYMPTOMS IN MANY

Febrile illness – body aches, joint pains, vomit, rash

Severe – high fever, stiff neck, vision loss, disorientation, coma, tremors

Question 22

Prevention of West Nile

Answer 22

No vaccination

avoid mosquitos