Rabies and Borrelia Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary way rabies virus is transmitted to humans?

By the bite of an infected animal (correct)

Through contaminated water

By direct contact with infected blood

Through a mosquito bite

What characterizes the rabies virus genome?

Double-stranded DNA

Linear double-stranded RNA

Single-stranded RNA (correct)

Circular RNA

What is a required intervention after a potential rabies exposure?

Ignore symptoms and monitor for progress

Immediate isolation for 14 days

Immediate vaccination of the patient

Wash the wound and administer post-exposure prophylaxis (correct)

How does rabies virus travel to the brain after infection?

Along peripheral nerves Signup and view all the answers

What preventative measure is recommended for at-risk individuals like vets and animal workers?

Routine vaccination against rabies virus Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes the secondary effects of Borrelia dissemination in the host?

Immune system activation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes Borrelia burgdorferi's interaction with its natural host?

The immune system of the host has evolved to ignore Borrelia. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of Borrelia allows it to avoid the immune response in tissue?

Rapid movement speed Signup and view all the answers

How might Gene Drives be utilized in relation to vector transmitted diseases?

To reduce the burden of disease by altering vector populations Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in treating Borrelia infections?

The immune system's failure to recognize Borrelia Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason that rabies may be difficult to eradicate?

Proliferation of the rabies virus in wild animal populations Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of dengue cases progress to severe dengue?

A small proportion Signup and view all the answers

What viral disease is transmitted by an arthropod vector and has around 390 million infections annually?

Dengue virus Signup and view all the answers

What is the fatality rate for dengue cases?

1 in 2,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the pathogenicity of Borrelia burgdorferi in Lyme disease?

Motility enhancing transmission Signup and view all the answers

How many serotypes of the Dengue virus are known?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism causes malaria?

Protist Signup and view all the answers

In which age group do the majority of malaria deaths occur globally?

Children under 5 years of age Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of transmission of Borrelia to humans in the Northeast US?

Ixodes tick bite Signup and view all the answers

Which animals are considered primary reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi in the Northeast US?

White-footed field mice and other small warm-blooded animals Signup and view all the answers

What stage of tick life contributes most significantly to the transmission of Lyme disease?

Nymph stage Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the most common early symptoms of Lyme disease?

Severe headache Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a virulence factor of Borrelia that helps it in evading the host's immune system?

Outer surface proteins (OSP) Signup and view all the answers

What treatment is recommended for Lyme disease if diagnosed early?

Oral antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about Lyme disease is true?

Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne human disease in the US. Signup and view all the answers

Why are deer considered important in the life cycle of ticks transmitting Lyme disease?

They serve as hosts for adult ticks. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vector-Transmitted Diseases

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans via the bite of an arthropod vector (like insects or ticks).
Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it's transmitted from animals to humans, typically through saliva from a bite.
Rabies virus is an RNA virus (specifically, a (-)ssRNA).
The rabies virus replicates in nervous tissue, travels to the brain, and then is excreted in saliva.
Symptoms in humans develop slowly, often over months.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involving human antibodies is crucial.
Rabies is a significant concern in wild animals.
Vaccinating domestic animals is a key control measure.
Oral rabies vaccines in baits can help target wild animals.
Many parts of the world are rabies-free.

Dengue Fever

Dengue is an arboviral disease transmitted by mosquitoes (Aedes mosquitoes specifically).
There are four known serotypes of Dengue virus.
Dengue fever is characterized by fever and symptoms like eye pain, muscle pain, headache, bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form, with additional bleeding, respiratory distress, and a sharp drop in blood pressure.
High rates of Dengue infections occur in tropical and subtropical regions.

Malaria

Malaria is a disease caused by the protist Plasmodium.
Plasmodium is transmitted by mosquitoes, typically Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria causes more than 600,000 deaths annually, mostly in children under 5.
Infection stages involve both the human and mosquito life cycle.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
Borrelia is a spirochete (a spiral-shaped bacterium.)
Transmission is via the bite of infected ticks (Ixodes ticks, specifically).
The Northeast US has the highest incidence rates.
Humans are mostly infected by nymph ticks.
Important reservoir hosts include white-footed field mice and other small mammals.
Lyme disease is characterized by varying symptoms from early (headache, fever) to later stages (neurological issues, like Bell's palsy, arthritis, carditis).
Treatment often involves antibiotics.

General Info

Several vector-borne diseases are significant global health concerns and require constant surveillance and control efforts.

Antibody-Dependent Enhancement

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) describes a phenomenon where antibodies can actually increase viral replication instead of neutralizing it.
ADE is a concern for dengue, where antibodies generated to one serotype can increase the risk of infection and a worse outcome by other serotypes.

Gene Drives

Gene drives are a promising tool to reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases.
Gene drive technology can selectively target and alter genes in a population, effectively reducing the transmission potential of diseases via specific vectors.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the transmission, genome characteristics, and treatment interventions related to rabies and Borrelia. The quiz covers essential preventative measures and challenges in managing these infections. Perfect for students and professionals in health and veterinary fields.