Treponema Pallidum Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Quiz

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What is the target of amoxicillin?

DNA replication in the bacteria

Cell wall synthesis in the bacteria (correct)

Protein synthesis in the host cell

Viral replication within the host cell

Why is Treponema pallidum considered an obligate parasite?

It can only live inside a host cell (correct)

It causes spiral-shaped infections

It is challenging to grow in a lab environment

It has a small genome

What makes it hard to determine the virulence factors of Treponema pallidum?

The need for co-culture with bacteria

Its small genome size

The difficulty in growing it on solid media (correct)

Its ability to form spores

How does Treponema pallidum maintain fluidity in its cell membranes?

By cholesterol synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic is commonly used to inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria?

Doxycycline Signup and view all the answers

Why is Treponema pallidum described as the 3rd leading cause of STDs in the U.S.?

The persistence of the bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment is most suitable for the growth of Treponema pallidum?

A nutrient-rich environment Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for the motility of the bacteria described in the text?

Internal flagella Signup and view all the answers

Why are the bacteria described in the text unable to make their own amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides?

They are dependent on scavenging from the environment Signup and view all the answers

How do the described bacteria remodel their outer surface proteins to evade antibody clearance?

By altering their outer surface proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the segmented genome of the bacteria mentioned in the text?

It has linear, not circular, chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

How do female ticks acquire an infection from the bacteria described in the text?

Through migration of bacteria from their gut to their saliva Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why humans and dogs are considered accidental hosts for the bacteria described in the text?

They cannot pass the bacteria on to new ticks Signup and view all the answers

Why might people of color have a greater risk of missing a diagnosis of a disease caused by these bacteria?

Their symptoms may not present as typically expected Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that the hypostome calcified harpoon structure of a tick makes it difficult to remove the tick's mouthparts?

It attaches securely to the host's skin, making it challenging to pull out. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Lyme Disease transmission more rapid when a tick is unfed compared to when it has recently fed small meals?

The tick's saliva contains spiral bacteria that aid in rapid transmission after feeding. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the confirmatory diagnosis for tick-borne diseases require producing antibodies against the bacteria through serology?

To distinguish between a current infection and a previous exposure to the disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the spike in bacteria levels in the blood on days 5-6 of a relapsing fever infection?

The spike correlates with the time when the bacteria change their outer surface proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What makes ticks attracted to sleepers in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa, similar to how they are attracted to carbon dioxide?

They are drawn to warmth, sweat, and body odor emitted during sleep. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Treponema pallidum not an effective treatment for relapsing fever bacteria despite being effective against syphilis?

The outer surface proteins of relapsing fever bacteria prevent recognition by Treponema pallidum antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Borrelia recurrentis from Borrelia hermsii in causing relapsing fever infections?

'Borrelia recurrentis' transmits relapsing fever through ticks, while 'Borrelia hermsii' transmits it through lice. Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of endotoxin in tick saliva potentially contribute to septic shock in tick-borne infections?

'Endotoxin' induces a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to septic shock. Signup and view all the answers

Why do patients with relapsing fever often undergo specific serology tests like LBRF for antibodies rather than immediate antibiotic treatment?

'LBRF' serology tests confirm if fevers are caused by relapsing fever or other tick-borne illnesses. Signup and view all the answers