Zoonoses Flashcards
What are zoonoses?
Infections that can pass between living animals and humans
What is rabies?
Viral disease causing encephalitis usually transmitted by dog bite, that is almost always fatal if untreated
What is the incubation period of rabies?
2 weeks to several months
What is the management following an animal bite in a high risk rabies country?
Wound should be washed
If an individual is already immunised then 2 further doses of vaccine should be given
if not previously immunised then human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) should be given along with a full course of vaccination
What is lyme disease?
Infection caused by the pirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, spread by ticks
How does lyme disease present?
Erythema migrans/bulls eye rash typically at site of tick bite
- Typically occurs 1-4 weeks after bite
- Usually painless and slowly increases in size
Fever
Lethargy
Headache
Cardiovascular features, such as heart block and pericarditis
Neurological features, such as meningitis and facial nerve palsy
What investigations are used in lyme disease diagnosis?
Diagnosed clinically if erythema migrans is present
ELISA antibodies to borrelia burgdoferi, repeat 4-6 weeks after initial test if negative but still suspected
How is lyme disease managed?
Doxycycline
Amoxicillin if pregnant
Ceftriaxone if disseminated disease
What is leptospirosis?
Infection caused by the spirochaete Leptospira interrogans, classically being spread by contact with infected rat urine
How does leptospirosis present?
Commonly seen in sewage workers, or travellers
Fever
Flu like symptoms
Red eyes
Weils disease
- AKI
- Hepatitis
- Aseptic meningitis
How is leptospirosis diagnosed?
Serology, antibodies develop after 7 days
How is leptospirosis managed?
High-dose benzylpenicillin or doxycycline
What is threadworms?
Infestation with enterobius vermicularis, commonly among children, due to swallowing eggs present in the environment
Give features of threadworms
Perianal itching, particularly at night
Females may have vulval symptoms
Diagnosis made my applying sellotape to perianal area and sending it to laboratory for microscopy
How is threadworms managed?
Hygiene measures
Once off dose oral mebendazole for all members of the household
