Chapter 24

Question 1

What is the causative agent of typical pneumonia?

Answer 1

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Question 2

What allows the bacterial pathogen to cause scarlet fever?

Answer 2

Erythrogenic toxin produced by lysogenized Streptococcus pyogenes

Question 3

What is the causative agent of walking pneumonia? Why is this type of pneumonia called ‘walking’?

Answer 3

• The causative agent of walking pneumonia is Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
• It is called “walking” pneumonia because the symptoms are milder, allowing infected individuals to continue with their daily activities.

Question 4

What genus of bacteria commonly causes middle ear infections? What is the scientific term for this disorder?

Answer 4

Middle ear infections are commonly caused by bacteria such as:
1. Streptococcus pneumoniae
2. Haemophilus influenzae (non-encapsulated)
3. Moraxella catarrhalis
* The scientific term for this disorder is Otitis Media

Question 5

What is the causative agent of tuberculosis?

Answer 5

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 6

What are tubercles?

Answer 6

Tubercles are isolated, walled-off structures formed in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. They contain the bacteria and can heal and become calcified, but they may break down, releasing bacteria into the lungs and other systems.

Question 7

What disease is caused by Bordetella pertussis?

Answer 7

Pertussis aka Whooping cough

Question 8

What three groups of viruses most commonly cause colds?

Answer 8

1. Rhinovirus
2. Coronavirus
3. Enterovirus

Question 9

What are the primary characteristics caused by a cold?

Answer 9

Common cold symptoms include:
Sneezing, nasal secretion, congestion, laryngitis, and otitis media. It is typically not accompanied by fever.

Question 10

What are the principal symptoms and signs of flu?

Answer 10

Influenza (flu) symptoms include chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches.

Question 11

Which type of influenza is the most severe? (Influenza A or B?)

Answer 11

Influenza A

Question 12

What is the genome of influenza?

Answer 12

Influenza virus has a segmented RNA genome.

Question 13

What are some of the reservoirs of influenza?

Answer 13

Reservoirs of influenza include humans, birds, pigs, and marine mammals.

Question 14

What is the function of hemagglutinin?

Answer 14

Hemagglutinin (HA) spikes in the influenza virus recognize and attach to host cells.

Question 15

What is the function of neuraminidase?

Answer 15

Neuraminidase (NA) spikes in the influenza virus help the virus separate from the infected cell.

Question 16

What is the name of the process that produces minor variations to influenza?

Answer 16

Antigenic drift produces minor variations in influenza. Allows virus to evade some host immunities.

Question 17

How is antigenic shift accomplished?

Answer 17

Antigenic shift involves the reassortment of the eight RNA segments of influenza and leads to major changes, allowing the virus to evade most immunity.

Question 18

What is the reason for tracking and making a new influenza vaccine each year?

Answer 18

Influenza vaccines need to be updated annually because of the antigenic variability of the virus, especially due to antigenic drift and shift.

Question 19

What does the abbreviation RSV stand for?

Answer 19

RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Question 20

What are signs and symptoms of RSV?

Answer 20

RSV infection causes coughing and wheezing for more than a week, especially in infants. In older adults, it can lead to life-threatening pneumonia.

Question 21

Which particular group (or groups) of people is most commonly affected by RSV?

Answer 21

RSV commonly affects infants and older adults, causing severe respiratory disease.

Question 22

What virus causes COVID-19?

Answer 22

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Question 23

What are some signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

Answer 23

Symptoms of COVID-19 include flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
* In severe cases, it can lead to bilateral pneumonia and the need for ventilator support.

Question 24

What therapies have been FDA (emergency use) approved to treat COVID?

Answer 24

Monoclonal antibody treatment
* Sotrovimab
Antiviral medication
* Remdisivir (IV)
Oral antivirals: Paxlovid and molnupiravir

Question 25

What 2 vaccines are in circulation in the US to help reduce severity or prevent COVID?

Answer 25

1. Viral vector vaccines = Johnson & Johnson
2. mRNA vaccine = Pfizer and Moderna