Arthropod Vectors

Question 1

This disease is transmitted through deer ticks. It is characterized by a Bullseye rash, and it can sometimes lead to Bell’s Palsy, which is a type of facial nerve dysfunction. (Answer)

Which organism causes this disease? (Answer)

Answer 1

Lyme Disease

Organism: Borrelia Burgdorferi

Question 2

This gram negative bacteria is found in Cotton Tail Rabbits, and it is transmitted when aerosols of the bacteria are inhaled by brush cutting or mowing around dead animals. Leads to fever, dry cough, severe headache, and swollen lymph nodes (buboes).

Answer 2

Tularemia

[Rabbit Fever, Lawnmower Disease]

Question 3

This disease has a higher incidence in taxidermists and hunters who work around dead animal carcasses like road kill. (Answer)

How is this disease best prevented? (Answer)

Answer 3

Tularemia

Prevention: Wear masks and gloves if working/skinning/mowing around dead animals.

Question 4

This gram negative bacteria is transmitted via rodents, and it causes a disease commonly known as The Plague.

Answer 4

Yersinia pestis

Question 5

This basic version of the plague is characterized by sudden onset of fever, and buboes (swollen lymph nodes in groin or armpit):

Answer 5

Bubonic Plague

Question 6

This version of the plague occurs when the bacteria escapes from a swollen lymph node and moves into the blood stream. It results in both massive bleeding and massive blood clotting, a condition known as DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy).

Answer 6

Septicemic Plague

Question 7

If the Yersinia Pestis bacteria (plague) travels to the lungs, it becomes a respiratory disease that is communicable via droplets. What is this version of the plague called?

Answer 7

Pneumonic Plague

Question 8

If PNEUMONIC plague reaches the lungs from the person inhaling respiratory droplets from another person, it is called (primary or secondary) pneumonic plague?

Answer 8

Primary

Question 9

If PNEUMONIC plague reaches the lungs because the bacteria escaped from an infected swollen lymph node, entered the blood stream, and spread up to the respiratory system, this is called (primary or secondary) pneumonic plague?

Answer 9

Secondary

Question 10

This organism is transmitted via fleas, and it causes a rash that begins at the trunk and progresses to the extremities, often including the palms and soles. (Answer)

What is the disease that is caused by this organism? (Answer)

Answer 10

Rickettsia typhi

Disease: Endemic Murine Typhus

Question 11

This organism is transmitted via lice. It is characterized by a rash that begins on the trunk and spreads eventually to the extremities, but it rarely affects the palms or soles: (Answer)

The disease that this bacteria manifests is: (Answer)

Answer 11

Rickettsia prowazekii

Disease: Classic (or Louse-borne) Endemic Typhus

Question 12

This organism is transmitted via dog ticks. It is characterized by a rash with small red spots that BEGINS on the palms and soles, and progresses toward the trunk.

Answer 12

Rickettsia rickettsii

Disease: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Question 13

This organism is transmitted via mites on house mice, and it is characterized by black “eschar” crusty scabs. (Answer)

What disease is caused by this organism? (Answer)

Answer 13

Rickettsia akari

Disease: Rickettsial Pox

Question 14

This viral disease is transmitted via mosquitoes.
It is characterized by symptoms of jaundice (yellow skin), and severe liver damage. (Answer)

What pathogen causes this disease? (Answer)

Answer 14

Yellow Fever

Pathogen: Yellow fever virus

Question 15

Name 4 organisms that cause Equine encephalitis:

Answer 15

1.) EEEV (eastern virus),
2.) WEEV (western virus)
3.) VEEV (Venezuelan virus)
4.) SLEV (St. Louis Virus)

Question 16

This equine encephalitis virus causes necrotizing of the brain and is the most deadly in humans?

Answer 16

EEEV (Eastern virus)

Question 17

This equine encephalitis virus has epidemics that occur about every 10 years in late summer, and it is especially deadly in the elderly:

Answer 17

SLEV (St. Louis Virus)

Question 18

The disease West Nile Encephalitis is caused by which pathogen?

Answer 18

West Nile virus

Question 19

This virus is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes. It is not communicable between people though so it is considered a “dead end” virus. The first case occurred as recent as 1999.

Answer 19

West Nile Virus

Question 20

This viral disease is transmitted by mosquitos. Symptoms are usually mild or none at all, however, when it does get severe, patients can experience stupor, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and even death.

Answer 20

West Nile Encephalitis

Question 21

A small number of people getting the Zika virus report getting this incurable syndrome that affects the nervous system?

Answer 21

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Question 22

Globally, this is the most common arthropod borne disease:

Answer 22

Dengue [Break Bone] Fever

Question 23

This disease is transmitted via mosquitos. Key Symptoms include severe joint pain, bleeding gums, and small red spots (petechia) that appear on the legs and chest. (Answer)

Which pathogen causes this disease? (Answer)

Answer 23

Dengue [Break Bone] Fever

Pathogen: Dengue virus

Question 24

When dengue fever causes very severe vomiting with bleeding gums, almost resembling the Ebola virus, this is called:

Answer 24

Dengue Shock Syndrome [Dengue hemorrhagic fever]

Question 25

The bacteria that causes tularemia [Rabbit Fever] is:

Answer 25

Organism: Francisella tularensis

[Tularemia is also known as lawn mower’s disease]

Question 26

This antibiotic is used to treat both Endemic (Louse-borne) Typhus and Endemic murine typhus is:

Answer 26

Doxycycline

Question 27

This disease mainly affects people traveling to South America. It causes a rash, and can also cause microcephaly (small head) in infants.

Answer 27

Zika

Question 28

Zika is caused by which pathogen?

Zika is transmitted via:

Answer 28

Pathogen: Zika virus

Transmission: mosquitos

Question 29

There are 4 strains of the dengue virus. Each infection of Dengue Fever confers permanent immunity, but only to THAT strain, therefore a person can be infected with dengue fever up to (how many?) times.

Answer 29

Four times

[One for each strain]

Question 30

This vaccine provides protection against the Dengue virus. Mainly given to individuals in those areas of the world where the virus is more common.

Answer 30

Denvaxia