22 Questions
What is the primary route of transmission for Psittacosis?
Inhalation of aerosolized bacteria
Which of the following is a symptom of Cat-scratch disease?
Headache
What is the primary risk group for Psittacosis?
Occupational exposure and immunosuppressed individuals
What is the primary route of transmission for Tuberculosis?
Ingestion
Which of the following is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis?
Zoonotic Tuberculosis
Which of the following protozoa infections is commonly found in young dogs?
Giardia
What is the primary occupational hazard for people working with farm animals?
Orf
What is the most common source of zoonotic disease in the UK?
Pets in the home
Which of the following is a risk factor for Salmonellosis?
Very young children
Which of the following is a bacterial infection that can be contracted by people working in zoos with exotic animals?
Bacterial infections, especially with primates
What is the name of the fungal infection commonly transferred to children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed patients?
Dermatophytoses
What is the primary risk of Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?
Miscarriage, still birth, and birth defects
What is the recommended precaution for pregnant women to avoid Toxoplasmosis?
Avoid changing cat litter trays
What is the bacterial infection transmitted through cat bites or scratches?
Cat scratch fever
What is the primary characteristic that defines a zoonosis?
A disease that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans
Which of the following is a reason why zoonotic diseases are important in general practice?
Pets in the home can transmit zoonotic diseases to humans
Which of the following is an example of a zoonotic disease transmitted through direct contact?
Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
What is the primary reservoir for influenza A viruses?
Avian hosts
What is the mechanism by which influenza A viruses can undergo a change in their genome?
Point mutations and reassortment
What is the function of the Haemagglutinin (H) protein in influenza A viruses?
Binds virus particle to cell to initiate infectious cycle
Which of the following is a characteristic of reassortment in influenza A viruses?
Results in a change in the viral genome
Which of the following groups of people is particularly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases?
Pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems
Study Notes
Zoonosis
- A disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans
- Major cause of emerging human disease
- Wide ranging causative agents: bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, prion (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease)
Importance of Zoonotic Disease
- General practice vs hospital medicine
- Pets in the home
- Occupational hazards
- Wildlife
- Hobbyists
- Young, elderly, and immunosuppressed patients
- Pregnancy
Routes of Transmission
- Direct contact: dermatophytosis (ringworm), Orf (Parapoxvirus), Sarcoptic Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei)
- Scratches/bites: cat scratch fever (Bartonella henselae), Rabies (Lyssavirus)
- Inhalation: Psittacosis (Chlamydophila psittaci)
- Ingestion: vCJD, Tuberculosis (M.bovis), Campylobacter, Salmonella
- Faeco-oral: Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)
Influenza A Viruses
- Most influenza viruses originate from birds
- Aquatic birds are the main natural reservoir for influenza A viruses
- Great zoonotic potential as can infect various avian and mammal hosts and transmit to humans
- High potential for genome change by point mutations and reassortment
- Rate of point mutations is higher in humans than in avian hosts
- Reassortment -> concern for new respiratory pandemics
- Subtype according to two surface proteins: Haemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N)
Tuberculosis
- Caused by Mycobacteria that are part of the Mycobacteria tuberculosis complex
- Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis
- Primary route of transmission: ingestion
- Occupational risk of airborne transmission
- Challenges: differentiation for M.tuberculosis clinically and in the laboratory, misdiagnosis, and treatment (resistance to Pyrazinamide)
Salmonellosis
- Generally considered a food-borne illness (eggs, Salmonella enteritidis)
- Less commonly known risk from pet reptiles
- Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks associated with risk from skin, faeces, and feed animals
- Education is very important
- At-risk groups: very young children particularly
Pets in the Home
- Most common source of zoonotic disease in the UK: dermatophytoses, Toxoplasmosis, cat scratch fever, Psittacosis, protozoa infections, and Rabies
Dermatophytoses
- 'Ringworm' - fungal, not parasitic
- Risk species: dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits
- Can be non-pruritic in animals
- Difficult to identify in long coats
- Commonly transferred to children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed patients
Toxoplasmosis
- Infection with Toxoplasma gondii
- Risk from cat faeces and infected meat
- Can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects
- Education of pregnant patients: avoid changing cat litter trays, wear gloves when gardening, wash fruit and vegetables before use
Cat Scratch Fever
- Bacterial infection with Bartonella henselae
- Can occur through any bite or scratch that breaks the skin
- Cats under 1 year old more likely to carry
- Asymptomatic in cats
- Symptoms: round, raised purulent lesions at site of injury, fever, enlarged local lymph nodes, headache, and severe systemic complications
Psittacosis
- Bacterial infection with Chlamydophila psittaci
- Carried by all species of bird, with parrots and pigeons at highest risk
- Transmission: primarily inhalation
- Incubation: 1-4 weeks
- Symptoms: flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia
- At-risk groups: occupational exposure, immunosuppressed and young/elderly individuals, pregnant women
Protozoa Infections
- Examples: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Coccidia
- Giardia: common in young dogs, especially from poor breeding backgrounds
Test your knowledge of zoonotic diseases, their transmission routes, symptoms, and risk groups. This quiz covers Psittacosis, Cat-scratch disease, Tuberculosis, and other animal-borne diseases.
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