Infectious Diseases History Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary focuses in examining the histories of infectious diseases according to the content?

The role of cultural practices in disease transmission

The impact of vaccination campaigns

The connection between diseases and human evolution (correct)

The development of antibiotics

Which two diseases are specifically focused on in the discussion?

Syphilis and cholera

Malaria and HIV/AIDS

Tuberculosis and leprosy (correct)

Plague and smallpox

What significant advancement has been made in microbiology in the last decade with respect to pathogens?

Creation of synthetic microbes for research

Development of a universal vaccine

Discovery of a cure for antibiotic resistance

Sequencing of the genomes for major pathogens (correct)

How have microbiologists collaborated with bioarcheologists in their research?

By developing techniques for identifying ancient pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What does the combination of studying microorganisms at different timescales allow historians to accomplish?

Analyze the narratives of human populations over epochs Signup and view all the answers

Which historical methodology has recently been re-engaged by microbiologists to illuminate past diseases?

Paleogenomics Signup and view all the answers

What traditional laboratory approach has microbiology now adapted to study ancient pathogens?

Germ theory application with modern techniques Signup and view all the answers

Why is there a need for historians to engage with the methods of microbiology and bioarcheology?

To develop new forms of historical evidence Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of latently infected individuals are likely to develop active TB during their lifetime?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which disease is associated with Mycobacterium leprae?

Hansen's disease Signup and view all the answers

What does the genetic similarity of M.leprae samples from around the world suggest about its transmission?

It has been quite regular. Signup and view all the answers

How many main subtypes of Mycobacterium leprae have been suggested based on genetic studies?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of leprosy makes it less attractive for research in both history and biology?

It lacks significant genetic variation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about M.leprae is true?

It has a clonal genetic structure. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship between leprosy and human migrations has been suggested by genetic findings?

Leprosy subtypes coincide with major human migrations. Signup and view all the answers

Who conducted the research that suggests the genetic structure of leprosy parallels human migration?

Monot and colleagues Signup and view all the answers

What has recent research indicated about the dominance of TB strains?

European strains have significantly outcompeted other strains. Signup and view all the answers

How has TB adapted to its human host according to the content?

By maintaining a quiescent state due to human immune responses. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'consilience' refer to in the context of TB research?

The convergence of different types of evidence supporting the same interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is significant about the stories told by historians and microbiologists?

They reinforce each other's interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

What has been the impact of the last 200 years on TB's evolution?

It led to more evolutionary change than in several millennia. Signup and view all the answers

What historical patterns are confirmed through TB research according to the content?

Patterns of intercontinental migration and colonialism. Signup and view all the answers

What has Michael McCormick recently called for in relation to TB research?

Increased engagement with the historicist sciences. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about TB's genetic diversity in the content?

There is a pronounced lack of genetic diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What term did the Portuguese use to describe a disease observed in both West Africa and Goa?

Lepra Signup and view all the answers

What factor increases the likelihood of disease transfer between closely related species?

Genetic similarities Signup and view all the answers

Which diseases are mentioned as examples of cross-species transfer between primates and humans?

Malaria and HIV Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential host for the bacterium M. leprae that raises further questions about leprosy transmission?

Non-human primates Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis is suggested regarding M. lepromatosis and its connection to primates?

It could be connected to other primate species. Signup and view all the answers

How long ago did New World monkeys separate from their Old World relatives?

More than 20 million years ago Signup and view all the answers

What remains uncertain regarding the narratives about New World migrations?

Which narrative will ultimately prevail Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of disease transfer is suggested as extremely high?

Between closely related species Signup and view all the answers

What major question does the history of leprosy raise regarding its urgency in 11th and 12th-century western Christian Europe?

Why did leprosy become a social concern during these centuries? Signup and view all the answers

What significant event regarding leprosy occurred in the 19th century?

There was a global panic about leprosy. Signup and view all the answers

What relation do M.lepromatosis and M.leprae share?

They are most closely related among mycobacteria species. Signup and view all the answers

What molecular advancement allowed for the identification of M.lepromatosis as a new species?

Genomic analysis and distinct molecular signature. Signup and view all the answers

What is still unknown regarding the subgroup responsible for global leprosy cases in the 19th century?

Which subgroup of M.leprae was most responsible. Signup and view all the answers

What does the discovery of M.lepromatosis imply about the history of leprosy?

Different species of leprosy may have distinct historical narratives. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the global panic about leprosy in the 19th century?

The recent spread by European migrants. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes M.lepromatosis in terms of its classification?

It has a distinct molecular signature revealing it as a new species. Signup and view all the answers

What does the geographic spread of M. leprae and M. lepromatosis suggest about their dissemination?

They were disseminated through different routes and at different times. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the role of historians in studying infectious disease is emphasized?

Historians need to be involved due to the complex history of diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is cautioned against regarding previous historians' claims about populations and immunity?

Immunity varies; claiming whole populations are immune is often erroneous. Signup and view all the answers

Which historians are noted for their contribution to understanding diseases in global history?

Alfred Crosby and William McNeill. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant change in understanding diseases mentioned in the content?

The implications of immune responses in populations have evolved. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of M. leprae's presence in modern-day regions?

It shows a stable ongoing issue of leprosy in specific geographic areas. Signup and view all the answers

What historical seminar topic is mentioned in the content?

The history of the Black Death. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about co-infection is true?

M. leprae and M. lepromatosis can co-infect some individuals but have different spreads. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

New Agendas for Researching Global Diseases

Microbiologists have sequenced the genomes of major human pathogens.
Bioarcheologists have developed methods to identify pathogen fragments in ancient remains.
Genomics can reconstruct pathogen "family trees" (phylogenies).
Global economics create a "flat earth" of interconnected markets; similarly, the interconnectedness of historicist sciences allows a comprehensive study of global health history.
Historical perspective on diseases such as Paleolithic tuberculosis, medieval leprosy, and modern HIV.
Microbiology and physical anthropology, especially bioarcheology, have significantly advanced knowledge about the history of infectious diseases.
Historians need to use the evidence and standards of measure from these fields to investigate global health history.

The Gospel of Germs

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the US public was persuaded that germs cause disease.
Microorganisms have histories which can be used to study human history.
"Materialist history" examines microorganisms not as commodities but as a living part of human bodies.

Reconstructing the History of Infectious Diseases

Microbiologists have sequenced pathogen genomes, enabling the identification of fragments in ancient remains.
This allows the study of specific pathogens in the past.
Examples of diseases to study include Tuberculosis, malaria, leprosy, smallpox, plague, syphilis, cholera, and HIV/AIDS.

Tubercolosis (TB)

TB is an obligate pathogen (cannot survive outside a host).
TB has a long history with human populations.
Genetic research shows TB's antiquity (2.6-3 million years old).
TB diversity correlates with, or is correlated with past human population distributions.
Modern research questions the single organism assumption of the disease.
The genetic diversity of TB is closely linked to human migrations.

Leprosy (Hansen's Disease)

Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent.
Lepospsy has a significant global distribution.
Genetic similarity among samples reveals a long history and a possible connection to human migrations.
This suggests a wide distribution, consistent with broad human history.
A new species of leprosy, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, has been identified.
It shows unique differences from other mycobacteria.
The history reveals genetic characteristics, which allows for the classification and understanding of disease.

Global History of Infectious Diseases

Understanding disease history and the methods used to research it is essential.
A partnership between historians, biologists, and other experts is needed to understand history and disease.
Infectious diseases have extensively affected global history.
Data limitations and the development of methods for collecting and analysing biological evidence means that more research is needed in this area.
There is more research on infectious diseases needed that involves the work of biologists, historians, and experts across other fields.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the historical examination of infectious diseases. This quiz focuses on key aspects such as significant advancements in microbiology, collaboration between microbiologists and bioarcheologists, and the methodologies used to study ancient pathogens. Dive into the intriguing world of infectious diseases and their impact on history.