Rabies and Borrelia Quiz

A disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an arthropod, like an insect or tick. The vector itself is usually not severely affected by the disease.

A disease that can spread from animals to humans.

A virus that attacks the nervous system and can be fatal. Typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.

An antibody-based injection that provides immediate protection against rabies virus, often used after exposure to the virus.

A vaccine used to protect against rabies virus. It's typically used for high-risk groups like veterinarians and animal care workers.

Cytoplasmic inclusions found in nerve cells infected with rabies virus. They can be observed under a microscope and are characteristic of rabies infection.

A type of viral infection that attacks the central nervous system and is often fatal if not treated. It is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.

The most common type of arboviral infection, meaning it is transmitted by arthropod vectors like mosquitoes. It can cause a range of symptoms, from mild fever to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever.

A severe form of dengue fever characterized by bleeding, respiratory distress, and a dramatic drop in blood pressure. It can be life-threatening.

A phenomenon that occurs when the immune system, after previously encountering one serotype of dengue virus, reacts more strongly to a different serotype upon subsequent infection. This can lead to more severe disease.

A protist (single-celled eukaryotic organism) that is the causative agent of malaria. It has a complex life cycle involving both humans and mosquitoes.

A bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete bacterium. It is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.

Lyme disease is primarily spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, particularly in the Northeast US.

The initial stage of Lyme disease often features symptoms like headache, fever, fatigue, and sometimes a distinctive bullseye rash.

White-footed mice, along with other small mammals, serve as primary reservoirs for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, while deer play a role in tick transportation.

Ticks have a complex life cycle that requires three blood meals. They can acquire the Lyme bacteria during the first blood meal from an infected rodent.

Lyme disease symptoms can progress through three phases, from early flu-like symptoms to later-stage neurological issues, arthritis, and heart inflammation.

Several bacteria surface proteins, called OSPs, help Lyme bacteria bind to host cells, and variations in these proteins make it difficult for our immune system to target.

Lyme disease cases are commonly treated with antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin. Early treatment is crucial for a successful outcome.

While the exact reason for the increase of Lyme disease is complex, it's considered an emerging disease due to factors like the changing environment and human population distribution.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, is a sprinter in host tissue, moving quickly to evade immune cells.

The immune system of rodents (natural hosts) is adapted to tolerate Borrelia without causing disease. Humans lack this adaptation, leading to noticeable symptoms.

Lyme disease symptoms are primarily caused by overactivation of the immune system, similar to autoimmune disorders like arthritis.

A new technology that uses genetically modified organisms to spread beneficial traits, potentially reducing the prevalence of vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease.