Microbiology 11: Zoonoses

Question 1

Which 2 organisms are transmitted from UK farm/wild animals e.g chickens, cows ?

Answer 1

Campylobacter

Salmonella

Question 2

Which bacteria is commonly transmitted from poorly BBQd poultry ?

Answer 2

Campylobacter

Question 3

Which 4 organisms are transmitted from companion animals in the UK ?

Answer 3

Bartonella (kittens)
Toxoplasmosis
Ringworm
Psittacosis (parrot fever)

Question 4

What is the treatment of a campylobacter infection ?

Answer 4

Supportive treatment- lots of water, paracetamol etc

Avoid contact with others and make sure regular hand washing

Question 5

Which disease is caused by bartonella infection in an immunocompetent patient ?

Answer 5

Cat scratch disease

The disease is transmitted from the cat into the persons mouth causing a Macule which may start to ouse. This can then cause regional adenopathy and even systemic systems such as fever, weight loss and night sweats.

Question 6

What disease is caused by bartonella in an immune-compromised patient?

Answer 6

Bacillary angiomatosis

You get skin Papules, Hepatitis and multi organ/vasculature involvement
Can be fatal especially in HIV patients.

Question 7

Which disease transmitted from cats can cause foetal abnormalities in pregnant women ?

Answer 7

Toxoplasmosis

Can cause still birth, progressive visual loss, motor and cognitive function loss

Question 8

Which signs can toxoplasmosis cause in immunocompromised people ?

Answer 8

Neuropathy

Seizures

Question 9

A goat farmer from India presents with a month long history of fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss and sweating. On examination you notice he has one enlarged testicle. He admits to drinking unpasteurised milk from his goats.

Which organism is the likely cause of his infection ?

Answer 9

Brucella (he has brucellosis)

Presents almost exactly like extra pulmonary TB

Question 10

This disease is transmitted from aerosolisation and inhalation of cattle excrement especially goats. There was an outbreak in Dutch goat farms. It presents with high fever, flu like symptoms and can cause hepatitis and endocarditis.

What is this disease ?

Answer 10

Q-fever

Question 11

What is the management of a patient that was bitten by a rabid looking dog in Thailand?

Answer 11

Post exposure vaccination
AND
Immunoglobulin

Question 12

A patient has been bitten by a rat and presents with fever, polyarthalgia and a purpurin rash.

What is the most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 12

Rat bite fever

Question 13

A patient from the US has been bitten by a rat and presents with signs of ARDS and also has fever and myalgia.

Answer 13

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

The same type of virus found in SE Asia causes bleeding and renal failure instead of pulmonary failure.

Question 14

This disease is transmitted by rats bats and ticks. It presents with fever, myalgia, flu-like symptoms and bleeding. This can be caused by Ebola…

What is the most likely disease ?

Answer 14

Viral haemorrhaging fever

Question 15

A 35 year old patient presents with abdominal cramps and diarrhoea after a BBQ what is the most likely source?

A) Beef
B) Pork
C) chicken
D) unpasteurised cheese
E) playing with a tortoise

Answer 15

C - chicken

This is most likely to be a case of campylobacter

Question 16

A 35 year old patient presents with fever after a bat bite. What potential infection is the most concerning?

A) Spirillum minus
B) hanta virus
C) lassa virus
D) rabies virus
E) Streptobacillus moniliformis

Answer 16

D - Rabies virus (causes by Lyssa virus)

Question 17

Patient died of encephalitis. Histology shows neural cells with Negri bodies. This finding is pathognomonic for ………..

Answer 17

Rabies!

Negri bodies are ribosomal inclusion bodies that make the cells look eosinophilic.

Question 18

Which organism causes Plague ?

Answer 18

Yersinia pestis

Found in rats and transmitted by fleas.

Question 19

Your mate kev is kayaking in the thames when a small wave causes him to capsize. He sees a sewer dog looking at him whilst it pees into the water. After paddling home safely Kev develops a very high fever 2 weeks later. He has bright red eyes muscle and joint pains and has started to turn yellow.

Most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 19

Leptospirosis.

Transmitted in cat and dog urine. Often acquired by swimming in infected water with cuts.

Question 20

A wool sorter presents to the GP practice with painless round black sessions on their arms. On examination they have massive lymphadenopathy and signs of respiratory failure.

Most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 20

Anthrax

bacillus anthracis

Question 21

Grace went hiking to a waterfall in Sri Lanka. She notices blood dripping from her leg which didn’t stop for a long time. A week later she develops a rash that looks like a “Bulls eye”. Months later she then starts acting strangely and has a facial palsy.

Most likely diagnosis?

Answer 21

Lyme’s disease

Early stage with Erythema chronic Migrans (bullseye rash), lymphadenopathy, Arthritis, carditis.

Later stage: Focal neurological signs- Bells palsy

Question 22

What is the gold standard test for diagnosis of Leptospirosis ?

Answer 22

The microscopic agglutination test

Question 23

What the the 3 types of Leishmani infection ?

Answer 23

• Visceral (kala azar)
• Cutaneous
• Mucocutaneous

Question 24

Which of the 3 types of Leishmania Infections causes hyperpigmentation, fever, lymphadenopathy, warty skin and hepatosplenomegally?

Answer 24

-Visceral leishmania (Kala Azar)

Question 25

Which of the 3 types of Leishmania infections causes: an itchy scaly rash where the sandfly bite was, which turns into an Ulcer? After the lesion heals it leaves a depigmented scar.

Answer 25

-Cutaneous Leishmania

Question 26

Which of the 3 types of Leishmania infections causes late presenting disfiguring ulcers on the mucous membranes ?

Answer 26

-Mucocutaneous Leishmania

Question 27

Which organism causes Mucocutaneous Leishmania ?

Answer 27

• L.Braziliensis

Question 28

Which vector transmits Leishmania ?

Answer 28

Sandfly

Question 29

Which fly transmits Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense ?

Answer 29

TseTse fly

Question 30

Which disease is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense?

Answer 30

African sleeping sickness