Zoonoses from Carnivores Flashcards

1
Q

What type of parasite is Toxoplasma gondii?

A

apicomplexan protozoan parasite.

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2
Q

When are cats usually infected with T. gondii? How long do they shed for?

A

Usually infected early in life, and excrete the oocysts for 1-3 weeks.

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3
Q

Which immature stage of T. gondii replicates fast? Which replicates slow?

A

Fast = tachyzoites. Slow: bradyzoites.

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4
Q

What behavioral change are you likely to see in mice infected with T. gondii?

A

They lose their fear of cats.

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5
Q

How do humans become exposed to T. gondii?

A

by coming in contact with oocysts in soil, or by ingesting tissue with bradyzoites (undercooked meat for example)

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6
Q

How long do oocysts remain stable in the environment?

A

18 days.

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7
Q

How can you render tissue cysts noninfectious?

A

freezing for >7 days, or by cooking.

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8
Q

Most human infections of T. gondii in the states come from what?

A

cumulative lifetime exposure to undercooked meat – NOT soil exposure.

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9
Q

What does T. gondii cause in early pregnancy? What about in late pregnancy?

A

early - abortion/stillbirth. Late - baby born w/ toxoplasmosis. Will see hydroencephalis, blindness, etc.

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10
Q

Does it matter when mom is infected with T. gondii while pregnant?

A

YES. The earlier she is infected, the more severe the symptoms for the baby when born.

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11
Q

If a pregnant woman was infected with T. gondii prior to being pregnant, and becomes reinfected while pregnant, is this a problem?

A

No. Only a problem when infected for the first time when pregnant.

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12
Q

How can a pregnant woman prevent exposure to T. gondii if she has a cat?

A

Clean the box every single day.

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13
Q

What are some common roundworms of pet animals?

A

T. canis, T. cati, T. vitulorum

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14
Q

What disease is considered a “neglected tropical disease”?

A

Human toxacariasis.

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15
Q

Who is most at risk for human toxocariasis?

A

Children between the ages of 1-4 years, due to pica and geophagia (kids are gross, basically).

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16
Q

What percentage of raccoons have Baylisascaris procyonis? Why is this of concern?

A

70-90% have it. Concerning because they shed a lot when they have it and it is very zoonotic (dogs can be definitive hosts or intermediate hosts).

17
Q

What is the most common form of larval migrans of Baylisascaris?

A

ocular or neurologic.

18
Q

For what cestodes do humans serve as the definitive host?

A

T. saginata and T. solium, Diphyllobothrium, Dipylidium caninum (rare).

19
Q

For what cestodes are humans an intermediate host?

A

Echinococcus granulosus and multilocularis, T. solium, and a few others that are rare.

20
Q

What are the symptoms usually like when a human is the intermediate host for a cestode infection?

A

symptoms are caused by the cyst, and clinical signs depend on where the cyst is (liver, lungs, brain, etc.). Can get anaphylactic symptoms if the cyst ruptures.

21
Q

What is the difference between hydatid cyst disease and alveolar cyst disease?

A

Hydatid cyst disease is caused by E. granulosus, and it is individual, large, fluid filled cysts in multiple tissues. Alveolar disease is made of multilocular small, and solid cysts.

22
Q

Who is the reservoir for all echinococcus species?

A

canids.

23
Q

How do humans get Echinococcus granulosus?

A

by ingesting the eggs, NOT MEAT.

24
Q

Cystic echinococcosis is associated with what industry in the US?

A

The sheep industry.

25
Q

Why is alveolar echinococcosis very destructive and often fatal?

A

because the cysts aren’t encapsulated and are very infiltrative, so they are often not operable once diagnosed.