Spirochaetes and Human Health
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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic skin lesion associated with Lyme disease?

  • Follicular rash
  • Pustular lesion
  • Macular rash
  • Erythema migrans (correct)
  • Which of the following is NOT a common reservoir for Lyme disease?

  • Rodents
  • Hard-shelled ticks
  • Cats (correct)
  • Deer
  • What is the primary transmission route for Leptospira interrogans?

  • Consumption of contaminated food
  • Inhalation of contaminated air
  • Bites from infected animals
  • Breaks in the skin or intact mucous membranes (correct)
  • What is the primary cause of tissue destruction in leptospirosis?

    <p>Host's immune response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which antibiotic is commonly used to treat Lyme disease?

    <p>Amoxicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of Spirochaetales makes them particularly challenging to observe with light microscopy?

    <p>They are too thin to be seen with standard staining methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which virulence factor of T. pallidum helps the bacterium evade the immune system?

    <p>Outer membrane proteins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does hyaluronidase play in the virulence of T. pallidum?

    <p>It breaks down hyaluronic acid for tissue penetration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary result of the host's immune response to T. pallidum infection?

    <p>Tissue destruction and lesions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which genus of the Spirochaetaceae family is known for its pathogenic potential in humans?

    <p><em>Borrelia</em></p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the symptoms commonly associated with atypical pneumonia?

    <p>Flu-like symptoms with a persistent non-productive cough</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which treatment is NOT appropriate for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?

    <p>Cell wall synthesis inhibitors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a secondary complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?

    <p>Meningoencephalitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic symptom of typical bacterial pneumonia?

    <p>Abrupt onset with productive cough and purulent sputum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following measures is effective for preventing Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?

    <p>Avoiding close contact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mode of transmission for Treponema pallidum subsp. Pertenue?

    <p>Transmitted by direct contact with skin lesions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following diseases is caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. Endemicum?

    <p>Bejel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of organism is Borrelia spp. classified as?

    <p>Gram-negative spirochetes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes the late lesions of Bejel?

    <p>Granulomas of skin, bones, and nasopharynx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the incubation period for Pinta caused by Treponema carateum?

    <p>1-3 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disease is NOT associated with Treponema pallidum?

    <p>Marburg virus disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of relapsing fever caused by Borrelia spp.?

    <p>It is characterized by recurring febrile episodes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option correctly describes the transmission of Epidemic Relapsing Fever?

    <p>By body lice from infected humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the transmission of syphilis?

    <p>Transmission depends on the stage of the disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the immune response impact the progression of syphilis?

    <p>The immune response results in tissue destruction due to its activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of syphilis on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in its late stages?

    <p>Inhibition of CMI leads to localized immune activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during primary syphilis?

    <p>Invasion of mucus membranes and rapid multiplication takes place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does syphilis persist in the host despite the immune response?

    <p>The infection persists over decades without eradication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic symptom of icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Acute febrile jaundice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following treatments is effective for icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Doxycycline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary virulence factor of M. pneumoniae?

    <p>Adherence mediated by P1 pili</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following features distinguishes mycoplasmas from other bacteria?

    <p>Resistance to penicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically occurs during the leptospiremia phase of icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Bacterial shedding in urine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes the incubation period for icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>10-12 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which environments do Mycoplasmas typically grow?

    <p>Media requiring sterols and glucose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common complication of icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Multi-organ failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant challenge in observing Treponema under light microscopy?

    <p>They are too thin to be seen clearly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of hyaluronidase in T. pallidum?

    <p>It promotes the breakdown of connective tissue barriers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily responsible for the tissue damage seen in infections caused by T. pallidum?

    <p>Host immune response to the bacterium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which family does the genus Borrelia belong to?

    <p>Spirochaetaceae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do outer membrane proteins play in the virulence of T. pallidum?

    <p>They promote bacterial adherence to host tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism causing tissue destruction in syphilis?

    <p>Patient's immune response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what stage of syphilis is the host typically non-infectious?

    <p>During the incubation period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the immune response during late-stage syphilis?

    <p>Localized immune activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate chance of acquiring syphilis after a single exposure to an infected partner?

    <p>30%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can Treponema pallidum persist in the host for decades?

    <p>The immune response does not fully eradicate it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique characteristic is associated with the initial stage of Lyme disease?

    <p>A skin lesion known as erythema migrans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which class of antibiotics is appropriate for treating Lyme disease?

    <p>Amoxicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant risk factor for contracting leptospirosis?

    <p>Direct contact with infected animal urine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was primarily responsible for the tissue destruction caused by Leptospira interrogans?

    <p>Host's immune response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following stages is most likely to include neurological or cardiac involvement in Lyme disease?

    <p>Subsequent stage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the hallmark lesion associated with primary syphilis?

    <p>Chancre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding secondary syphilis?

    <p>Secondary lesions are easily and widely disseminated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which stage of syphilis does the host enter a latent period?

    <p>Secondary syphilis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of tertiary syphilis?

    <p>Localized granulomatous dermal lesions (gummas)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition can result from congenital syphilis?

    <p>Neonatal mortality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended duration of penicillin treatment for early stage syphilis?

    <p>7-10 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about late latent syphilis is correct?

    <p>About 40% of these patients progress to tertiary syphilis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an outcome associated with late neurosyphilis?

    <p>Dementia and seizures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of multi-organ failure in icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Vascular collapse and renal dysfunction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which stage follows leptospiremia during the progression of icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>Renal failure phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which antibiotic is effective against Mycoplasma species?

    <p>Doxycycline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key characteristic differentiates Mycoplasmataceae from other bacterial families?

    <p>Size and absence of cell walls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What symptom is characteristic of the acute febrile phase in icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>High fever with rigors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of P1 pili in Mycoplasma pneumoniae's virulence?

    <p>Enables adherence to mucous membranes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical incubation period for icteric leptospirosis?

    <p>10-12 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Mycoplasma species is classified as a strict aerobe?

    <p>M. pneumoniae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mode of transmission for Treponema pallidum subsp. Endemicum?

    <p>Contaminated eating utensils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic associated with Yaws caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. Pertenue?

    <p>Destructive skin lesions and lymphadenopathy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of lesions are primarily seen in Pinta caused by Treponema carateum?

    <p>Skin lesions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement describes the acute infection phase of relapsing fever caused by Borrelia spp.?

    <p>It follows recurrent febrile episodes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of Lyme borreliosis epidemiology?

    <p>It was first recognized in 1975 during an outbreak in Lyme, Connecticut.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Tick-borne Relapsing Fever from Louse-borne Relapsing Fever?

    <p>It is usually associated with sporadic and rural cases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately represents the late lesions associated with Bejel caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. Endemicum?

    <p>Severe skin and bone granulomas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of Borrelia spp. is primarily responsible for the persistent nature of relapsing fever?

    <p>Rapid replication during febrile episodes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spirochaetes

    • Gram-negative bacteria, shaped like a "coiled hair"
    • Extremely thin and vary in length
    • Motile due to periplasmic flagella (axial fibrils/endoflagella)
    • Found within the periplasmic space
    • Too thin to be visualized via light microscopy. Requires darkfield microscopy for observation
    • Stained using anti-treponemal antibodies labeled with fluorescent dyes.
    • Intracellular pathogens
    • Three periplasmic flagella present at each end.
    • Do not survive well outside the host and cannot be grown in cell-free cultures in vitro.

    Taxonomy

    • Order: Spirochaetales
    • Families: Spirochaetaceae, Leptospiraceae
    • Treponema genus includes: T. pallidum,T. pallidum subspecies endemicum,T. pallidum subspecies pertenue, T. carateum
    • Borrelia genus includes Borrelia spp.
    • Leptospira genus includes Leptospira spp.

    Treponema and Human Disease

    • Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (Syphilis):

      • Disease transmitted via sexual contact or from mother to fetus
      • Not highly contagious (~30% chance of acquiring disease after a single exposure).
      • Long incubation period (non-infectious during this time)
      • Tissue destruction/lesions primarily due to host's immune response
      • Infection is neither fully controlled nor eradicated
      • Early stages inhibit cell-mediated immunity (CMI); late stages, lesions localize
      • Hosts have widespread immune suppression initially, but late stages exhibit more localized immune response activity.
    • Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum causes Syphilis

      • Transmitted through direct sexual contact or from mother to fetus.
      • Not highly contagious (~30 % chance of acquiring disease)
      • Infection period dependent on stage of disease.
      • Host is non-infectious during the long incubation period.

    Treponema pallidum subsp. Endemicum

    • Causes Bejel (endemic syphilis)
    • Not sexually transmitted.

    Treponema pallidum subsp. Pertenue

    • Causes Yaws
    • Transmitted through direct contact with lesions containing large numbers of spirochetes
    • Affects mostly primitive, tropical regions (Southeast Asia, Africa, and South Pacific)

    Treponema carateum

    • Causes Pinta
    • Transmitted via direct contact with skin lesions
    • Restricted to primitive tropical regions (Mexico, Central, and South America)

    Borrelia spp.

    • Gram-negative spirochetes
    • Diagnosis often involves Giemsa stain or phase contrast microscopy to visualize the organisms
    • Antigenic shifts and immune responses play critical roles in the disease process

    Relapsing fever

    • Associated with poverty, crowding, and warfare
    • Arthropod vectors transmit disease
    • Louse-borne borreliosis = Epidemic Relapsing Fever (transmitted between humans via body lice)
    • Tick-borne borreliosis = Endemic Relapsing Fever (transmitted by ticks from small mammals)
    • Acute infection with 2–14 day incubation period. Followed by recurring febrile episodes.

    Lyme disease

    • Transmitted via hard-body ticks (Ixodes spp.)
    • Symptoms include: skin lesions, neurological or cardiac issues, widespread non-destructive yet painful arthritis (affecting joints)
    • Identified as a syndrome in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut.
    • White-footed deer mice, and other rodents, deer, pets, and hard-shelled ticks are common reservoirs for disease.

    Leptospira

    • Gram-negative spirochetes, often appearing as a question mark
    • Characterized by having two periplasmic flagella
    • Disease transmission occurs primarily through contact with urine/contaminated substances.
    • Characterized by an acute febrile jaundice and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys).
    • Incubation period is typically 10-12 days, with flu-like illness commonly progressing through two clinical stages.

    Mycoplasmas

    • Smallest bacteria (0.1–0.3 µm)
    • Often grow slowly, requiring sterols and glucose
    • Lack a cell wall
    • Primarily diagnosed based on the presence of extremely small, fried-egg-like colonies

    Mycoplasma pneumoniae

    • Causes atypical pneumonia (walking pneumonia) characterized by flu-like symptoms, persistent, non-productive cough, and low-grade fever, headache, and malaise.
    • Transmitted through close contact.
    • Treatment options include tetracycline, erythromycin, or newer fluoroquinolones.
    • No vaccine available.

    Other Mycoplasmataceae

    • Other Mycoplasmataceae species (e.g., Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum) cause similar diseases affecting different organ systems.
    • These infections can cause conditions such as non-gonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pyelonephritis, postpartum fever, and systemic infections (in immunocompromised hosts). They can also cause spontaneous abortion or premature births.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of Spirochaetes, a group of Gram-negative bacteria characterized by their unique coiled shape and motility. This quiz covers their taxonomy, key species like Treponema and Borrelia, and the diseases they cause in humans, including syphilis. Test your knowledge on their biology and impact on health.

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