Leptospirosis Flashcards
(46 cards)
Which of the following statements accurately describes the epidemiology of Feline Leptospirosis?
A. Indirect transmission through water contact is a very common route of infection for cats due to their affinity for water.
B. Cats usually acquire Leptospira infection from hunting rodents, and subclinically infected wild animals can serve as reservoir hosts.
C. Leptospires can only remain infectious for a few days under optimal environmental conditions.
D. Leptospirosis is rare in cats, and they are not considered a potential source of infection.
Cats usually acquire Leptospira infection from hunting rodents, and subclinically infected wild animals can serve as reservoir hosts.
A cat presents with anorexia, lethargy, polydipsia, and mild diarrhea. At necropsy, an enlarged liver and non-purulent interstitial nephritis are noted. Which disease is most consistent with these findings?
A. Tetanus
B. Nocardiosis
C. Feline Leptospirosis
D. Actinomycosis
Feline Leptospirosis
Regarding the treatment of feline leptospirosis, what is the primary goal of the first stage of antimicrobial therapy and what is the antibiotic of choice for this stage?
A. To reduce muscle spasms; Metronidazole
B. To address the carrier state; Doxycycline
C. To reduce fatal complications and inhibit multiplication; Penicillin or its derivatives
D. To prevent future infections; Amoxicillin-clavulanate
To reduce fatal complications and inhibit multiplication; Penicillin or its derivatives
Which of the following statements is true regarding tetanus in cats?
A. Cats are highly susceptible to tetanus and are routinely vaccinated against it.
B. Tetanus in cats is often associated with smaller wounds producing less toxin.
C. Recovery from tetanus in cats can take several months due to the need for new nerve terminal generation.
D. Clinical signs of tetanus in cats typically appear rapidly, within 1-2 days of a wound.
Recovery from tetanus in cats can take several months due to the need for new nerve terminal generation.
A cat is diagnosed with Nocardiosis. Which characteristic of Nocardia species contributes to their ability to resist destruction by the host’s immune system, and what type of immune response is critical for combating this infection?
A. They form spores that are resistant to phagocytosis; Innate immune response
B. Their mycolic acids and lipids inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion; T cell-mediated immune response
C. They rapidly replicate intracellularly, overwhelming macrophages; Antibody production
D. They produce exotoxins that paralyze immune cells; Humoral (B cell) response
Their mycolic acids and lipids inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion; T cell-mediated immune response
Which of the following is a common mode of transmission for Nocardiosis in companion animals, and what underlying condition is strongly associated with its occurrence in cats?
A. Inoculation through puncture wounds, foreign bodies, or bites; Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) coinfection
B. Direct contact with infected urine; Diabetes Mellitus
C. Ingestion of contaminated food; Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) infection
D. Inhalation of airborne bacteria; Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Inoculation through puncture wounds, foreign bodies, or bites; Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) coinfection
Actinomycosis in cats is primarily caused by which type of bacteria, and what is its main mode of transmission?
A.Gram-negative aerobes; Direct contact with infected animals
B. Spirochetes; Indirect transmission through contaminated water
C. Gram-positive filamentous anaerobes; Endogenous origin following tissue trauma
D. Acid-fast bacilli; Inhalation of spores from soil
Gram-positive filamentous anaerobes; Endogenous origin following tissue trauma
Which of the following clinical signs and pathological findings are most characteristic of Actinomycosis in cats?
A. Trismus (‘lockjaw’) and opisthotonus
B. Acute kidney failure and severe muscle tremors
C. Severe coughing with blood and rapid progression to systemic infection in immunocompetent cats
D. Localized swelling, draining sinus tracts often containing sulfur granules, and potential involvement of bone or internal organs
Localized swelling, draining sinus tracts often containing sulfur granules, and potential involvement of bone or internal organs
In the pathogenesis of tetanus, how does tetanospasmin primarily exert its effect on the central nervous system, leading to the observed clinical signs?
It prevents the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (glycine and GABA) from inhibitory interneurons, resulting in uncontrolled skeletal muscle contraction.
Which of the following is an effective long-term treatment strategy for Nocardiosis in domestic animals, and what supportive care might be needed in severe pulmonary cases?
A. Vaccination and antifungal medications; Promoting self-recovery without intervention.
B. Short-term antimicrobial therapy (less than 1 month) with only one drug; Fluid restriction and avoidance of oxygen.
C. Surgical debridement alone without antibiotics; Minimizing environmental stimuli.
D. Long-term antimicrobial therapy (1–6 months), often combined, with surgical management for localized lesions; Intravenous fluid therapy and oxygen supplementation.
Long-term antimicrobial therapy (1–6 months), often combined, with surgical management for localized lesions; Intravenous fluid therapy and oxygen supplementation.
What is the gold-standard indirect diagnostic test for confirming exposure to Leptospira in cats?
A. Blood smear microscopy
B. Modified agglutination test (MAT)
C. Dark-field urine microscopy
D. Western blot
Modified agglutination test (MAT)
Which antibiotic is used during the second phase of leptospirosis treatment in cats to eliminate the carrier state?
Doxycycline
Which clinical sign is LEAST likely to be observed in a cat with leptospirosis?
A. Polyuria/polydipsia
B. Enophthalmos
C. Anorexia
D. Bleeding disorders
Enophthalmos
Which of the following is FALSE regarding the diagnosis of feline leptospirosis?
A. PCR can be used for direct detection of the organism
B. Leptospira can be visualized by dark-field microscopy in fresh urine
C. Blood culture is the most reliable method
D. ELISA is used for antibody detection
Blood culture is the most reliable method
Which of the following clinical signs is most specific for localized tetanus in cats?
A. Polyuria and polydipsia
B. Trismus and risus sardonicus
C. Hypersalivation and ataxia
D. Lameness and nasal discharge
Trismus and risus sardonicus
What is the most likely source of C. tetani infection in cats?
A. Inhalation of spores
B. Penetrating wound with anaerobic conditions
C. Consumption of spoiled meat
D. Contact with infected feces via grooming
Penetrating wound with anaerobic conditions
Which treatment must be administered before wound debridement in tetanus cases?
A. Penicillin
B. Tetanus antitoxin
C. Diazepam
D. Clindamycin
Tetanus antitoxin
What is the least likely autonomic sign observed in cats with tetanus?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Hypotension
D. Polyuria
Polyuria
Which statement about tetanus pathogenesis in cats is correct?
A. Tetanospasmin is rapidly degraded in the bloodstream before reaching the CNS
B. The toxin binds irreversibly to inhibitory interneurons
C. Recovery is rapid due to reversible toxin action
D. The toxin acts by stimulating parasympathetic fibers
The toxin binds irreversibly to inhibitory interneurons
What explains the delayed onset of clinical signs in feline tetanus?
Slow retrograde axonal transport of the toxin
Which of the following features best distinguishes Nocardia spp. from most other bacterial pathogens in cats?
A. Presence of endospores
B. Acid-fast staining due to mycolic acids
C. Flagella-based motility
D. Complete absence of cell wall
Acid-fast staining due to mycolic acids
Which feline population is at the highest risk for developing nocardiosis?
A. Young, healthy female indoor cats
B. Male cats involved in frequent outdoor fights
C. Geriatric neutered males in multi-cat households
D. Kittens housed in sterile laboratory conditions
Male cats involved in frequent outdoor fights
What is the primary immune mechanism responsible for combating Nocardia infection in cats?
A. Humoral (B cell–mediated) immunity
B. Eosinophil-mediated hypersensitivity
C. T cell–mediated immunity
D. Complement fixation cascade
T cell–mediated immunity
Which of the following is NOT a typical site of systemic Nocardia dissemination in feline patients?
A. Brain
B. Pancreas
C. Liver
D. Kidneys
Pancreas
