Zoonoses Flashcards
(95 cards)
What are the virulence factors for Borrelia Burgdorferi?
- Outer surface lipoprotein A (OspA): primes PMN into releasing lysosomal granules and superoxides which contribute to joint pain (infectious arthritis); spreading factor by converting plasminogen into plasmin to digest ECM and aid in spread; primary immunoprotective antigen (serodiagnosis with western blot; Anti-OspA Abs are borrelia-cidal)
- OspB: (not as impt) 2o protective antigen; mutants lacking this factor are less invasive; used for serodiagnosis by Western blot
What’s the relation between OspA and B cell response?
tha antigen is not sufficiently expressed in mammalian host to induce a B cell response
Why was the OspA vaccine (LYMErix) withdrawn?
bc the antibody generated was cross-reactive with proteins foudn in joints (bc of molecular mimicry) -> autoimmune arthritis
What stage of ixodes tick has infectious Borrelia Burgdorferi?
ALL stages but nymph stage is most impt in transmitting disease
How do ticks transmit the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi to hosts?
vomitting into wound (usu. infected within 24hrs of tick feeding)
What causes the symptoms seen during the first stage of Borrelia Burgdorferi infection?
bacteria itself
What causes the symptoms seen in the second stage of Borrelia Burgdorferi infection?
inflammatory response
What causes the symptoms seen in the third stage of Borrelia Burgdorferi infection?
autoimmune response
Is antibiotics effective in first stage of Borrelia Burgdorferi infection?
yes
When does stage one of Borrelia appear?
1 week after bite
When does stage two of Borrelia appear?
weeks to months after tick bite
When does stage three of Borrelia appear?
months to years after tick bite
What are some other symptoms during the second stage of Borrelia infection not covered by sketchy?
acute arthritis and meningitis
Is antibiotics helpful during the second stage of Borrelia infection?
may or may not be bc bacteria may be gone
What symptoms are found in the 3rd stage of Borrelia infection that was not on sketchy?
chronic skin lesions, chronic fatigue syndrome
Will antibiotics work in the 3rd stage of Borrelia infection?
no, bacteria is already eradicated
What is particularly diagnostic for Borrelia?
erythema chronicum migrans (ECM)
What specimen can be collected to test serology for Borrelia infection?
blood, CSF, synovial fluid
(the earlier, the better bc bacteria still there)
What lab diagnostic tools can be used to diagnose Lyme disease?
- check for Borrelial Ag or anti-Borrelial Ab by ELISA or Western Blot
2, use PCR to look for Borrelial DNA in tick or tissue
- immunostain biopsy sample for bacteria (look for spirochete)
What’s the treatment for Lyme disease?
doxycycline (1st choice, also has anti-inflammatory mechanisms), amoxicillin (beta lactams), cefuroxime, or erythromycin (macrolide) taken 2-4 times a day for 2-4weeks
no vaccine!
What does borrelia recurrentis cause?
high, recurrent and relapsing fever
What is the virulence factor for Borrelia recurrentis?
variable major protein (VMP): surface protein that varies antigenic epitopes in response to immune clearance (immune response is cyclic until body creates enough Abs to eliminate Ags)-> cause recurrent fevers (less severe with each recurrence)
What is this?

Borrelia Burgdorferi (note the spirals)
How are VMP genes activated?
gene conversion: 1 clone can give rise to 20 serotypes



