Infectious Diseases: Borrelia and Tuberculosis

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Questions and Answers

What is the developmental stage of ticks after larvae?

Females

Nymphs (correct)

Adult ticks

Eggs

When do female ticks lay uninfected eggs?

During winter of year 1

In fall of year 2 (correct)

Summer of year 2

In spring of year 2

What is the primary food source for adult ticks?

Grass and plants

Birds

Infected larvae

Deer or other animals (correct)

What occurs in the fall of year 2 regarding Borrelia?

It multiplies in infected larvae Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immune response occurs first upon antigenic challenge?

First antigenic challenge Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of endothelial cell damage?

Leakage of blood into tissues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics describes Mycoplasmas?

Require growth factors from a host Signup and view all the answers

Mycoplasma pneumoniae primarily causes which health issue?

Atypical pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the transmission of Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Transmitted through respiratory droplets Signup and view all the answers

What is a common preventive measure against infections caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum and M.genitalium?

Abstinence and safe sex practices Signup and view all the answers

Which disease is specifically caused by Borrelia burgdorferi?

Lyme disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hard ticks of the genus Ixodes in relation to Lyme disease?

They serve as vectors for the bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a symptom of Lyme disease?

Expanding red 'bull's-eye' rash Signup and view all the answers

Which Borrelia species is a causative agent of louse-borne relapsing fever?

Borrelia recurrentis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about tick-borne relapsing fever is accurate?

Several Borrelia species can cause this disease. Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the infection process in tick-borne relapsing fever?

Feeding on small mammals or birds by infected nymphs Signup and view all the answers

What makes the body's response to Borrelia infections unique?

It causes recurring episodes of fever due to immune responses. Signup and view all the answers

What preventive measure can help control the spread of louse-borne diseases?

Practicing personal hygiene Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes primary tuberculosis from post-primary tuberculosis?

Post-primary TB occurs after initial infection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the BCG vaccine in tuberculosis control?

It provides immunity against TB. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the virulence of Mycobacterium leprae?

It has low virulence and requires long exposure. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes lepromatous leprosy compared to tuberculoid leprosy?

Lepromatous leprosy has high infectivity. Signup and view all the answers

In which form of tuberculosis are bacilli dormant, and the individual shows no symptoms?

Latent TB Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of transmission for leprosy?

Direct contact with lesions. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to detect AFB in lepromatous leprosy diagnosis?

Skin biopsy. Signup and view all the answers

What type of inflammation is characteristic of tuberculosis infection?

Granulomatous inflammation. Signup and view all the answers

What primary disease is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in women?

Pelvic inflammatory disease Signup and view all the answers

How does Chlamydia trachomatis primarily enter the human body?

Through abrasions and lacerations Signup and view all the answers

Which strain of Chlamydia trachomatis can infect mice?

Only one specific strain can infect mice Signup and view all the answers

What is the leading cause of preventable blindness associated with Chlamydia trachomatis?

Trachoma Signup and view all the answers

How can adult inclusion conjunctivitis be transmitted?

Via direct contact with infected secretions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can lead to scarring of the conjunctiva?

Trachoma Signup and view all the answers

What is a common clinical manifestation of Chlamydia trachomatis infections?

Cell destruction and inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What complication can arise from asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women?

Infertility Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Borrelia

Causes Lyme disease and relapsing fever in humans.
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Transmitted by ticks, specifically hard ticks of the genus Ixodes.
- Characterized by an expanding red "bull's-eye" rash at the infection site.
Relapsing fever is caused by different Borrelia species.
- Louse-borne relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia recurrentis and transmitted by human body lice.
- Tick-borne relapsing fever is caused by various Borrelia species and transmitted by soft ticks.
- Characterized by recurring episodes of septicemia and fever due to the body's repeated efforts to remove the spirochetes.

Tuberculosis

Infection characterized by granulomatous inflammation, forming tubercles.
Primarily affects the lungs but can involve any organ or tissue.
Primary TB: Initial infection, usually doesn't progress to active TB in most cases.
Post-primary/secondary TB: Dormant bacilli reactivate and develop into active TB.
Active TB: TB bacilli multiply, leading to signs and symptoms of the disease.
Latent TB: Bacilli are dormant, no symptoms or signs are seen.
- Can be detected by TST and IFN-g release assay.
- Some patients' chest X-rays may show evidence of primary infection.

Mycobacterium leprae

Humans are the primary reservoir, with armadillos being the only other known host.
Bacteria cannot grow in cell-free culture.
Has low virulence.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with lesions or nasal secretions, and inhalation of respiratory droplets. Requires long-term exposure.
Causes leprosy:
- Tuberculoid leprosy: Non-progressive form with a strong cell-mediated immune response, low infectivity.
- Lepromatous leprosy: More virulent form with a weak cell-mediated immune response, high infectivity.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Has a limited host range, primarily infecting humans.
Enters the body through abrasions and lacerations.
Infects the conjunctiva and various mucous membranes.
Clinical manifestations result from cell destruction and inflammation.

Chlamydia trachomatis: Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases:
- Asymptomatic infection is common, especially in women.
- Reinfection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Most frequent cause of infection-related sterility.
- Lymphogranuloma venereum: Initial genital lesion followed by bubo formation.
- Nongonococcal urethritis, Proctitis: Can also cause these infections.
Ocular diseases:
- Transmitted through direct contact with infected secretions or indirect contact with contaminated objects.
- Trachoma: Endemic in developing countries, a leading cause of preventable blindness.
- Adult inclusion conjunctivitis: Usually seen in sexually active adolescents/adults with genital infection. Can be transmitted through autoinoculation.
Infections of the newborn:
- Transmitted from mother to infant during birth.

Mycoplasmas

Smallest free-living microbes.
Lack cell walls but have sterols in their cytoplasmic membranes.
Require various growth factors from a host or laboratory media.
Can colonize mucous membranes of the respiratory and urinary tracts in humans.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Attaches to epithelial cells lining the human respiratory tract.
Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets.
Causes primary atypical pneumonia.
- Early symptoms are atypical of other types of pneumonia.
- Often mild, not requiring hospitalization (also known as walking pneumonia).
- Common in children aged 5-15.

Other Mycoplasmas

M. hominis, M. genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum are associated with human diseases.
- Often colonize the urinary and genital tracts.
M. genitalium and U. urealyticum can cause non-gonococcal urethritis.
M. hominis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.
Abstinence and safe sex practices help prevent the spread of these organisms.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Borrelia and tuberculosis, two significant infectious diseases affecting humans. This quiz covers the causes, symptoms, and transmission methods associated with Lyme disease and relapsing fever, as well as the characteristics of tuberculosis. Challenge yourself and deepen your understanding of these critical health topics!