Parasites, Mycology, Vector Borne, Public Health Infections Flashcards
(120 cards)
What are characteristics of a vector borne illness
Transmission by live agents
Potential for rare transmission by other routes
Areas of endemicity restricted by vector
Control of vector may allow control of disease
What are some vector borne illnesses of concern in Nova Scotia
Lyme
Anaplasma found not diagnosed
Babesia found but not diagnosed
Describe ixodes scapularis
Vector often referred to as the black legged tick
Found in southern maritimes and southern Canada
Requires blood meal at each stage of maturation in females meaning females do most of the biting
Describe Lyme disease
First described in Lyme Connecticut
Caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi A GRAM NEGATIVE SPIROCHETE
transmitted by ixodes ticks
Describe the tick involvement in Lyme
Antigenic changes occur when a tick bites a host, 24-36 hours of attachment needed for transmission
Nymphs and adults are stages of tick involved in transmission
How does Lyme clinically present itself
Early localized disease (3-30 days post bite) = bullseye rash (erythema migrans) , flu like illness
Early disseminated disease = EM lesions, neurological or cardiac disease
Late disease = arthritis esp knee some neurological symptoms maybe
How is Lyme diagnosed
Early localized disease diagnosed clinically
Serology positive after a few weeks (IgM/IgG)
2 sub sequential rapid tests used more now but used to use enzyme immuno assay/western blot
How is Lyme treated
Prophylaxis (doxycycline)
Early disease: amoxicillin, doxycycline or cefuromine given for 3 weeks
Neurological disease (not palsy) = cefrtriaxone, penicillin or doxycycline for 28 days
Late Lyme may persist post treatment
Describe Babesiosis
An apicomplexa parasite related to malaria
Transmitted by ticks
Mice act as reservoir
24-36 hours of attachment for transmission
Lives in red blood cells within humans
What does Babesiosis do
Causes anemia, fever and hemolysis
More severe disease can occur if no spleen, old, v young or immunosuppressed
How is babesiosis diagnosed
Blood smear most common
Detection of parasite DNA by PCR if seen in blood (sensitive)
Serology for screening blood
How is Babesiosis treated
Antimicrobials are very effective
Describe anaplasma
Grows inside phagocytes Transmitted by ixodes ticks GRAM NEGATIVE OBLIGATE INTRACELLULAR bacteria Occurs summer/early fall Incidence of disease increases by age
Where does anaplasma infect
Granulocytes (pus cells) and grows in their cytoplasm
Must grow inside cells as it is unable to survive outside of cells due to being unable to produce peptidoglycan
What are symptoms of anaplasma
Fever, headache, muscle aches, malaise, cough, abdominal pain
How is anaplasma detected
NAAT for early illness although early illness rare
Inclusions in granulocytes
Serology mainly !
How is Anaplasma treated
Doxycycline for all ages and tick avoidance
Describe Q fever
Coxiella burnetii
SMALL GRAM NEGATIVE RODS INTRACELLULAR PATHOGENS
Large actively growing form and small dormant form
Pathogen of goats, sheep, cattle and cats
Transmitted by aerosols and rarely ticks
How does Q fever present
Flu like with fever (common) Pneumonia (common) Hepatitis Chronic infection (endocarditis usually) Pregnancy complications
How is Q fever diagnosed
Serology
How is Q fever treated?
Doxycycline and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole
Who described Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Dr Howard Taylor Ricketts described the agent
Initially referred to as black measles
Describe Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rickettsia rickettsii tiny gram negative intracellular bacteria
Infection in ticks- act as reservoir and vector (dog tick)
Infection transmitted between ticks by trans ovarian route (from birth) and sexually
How does Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever present
Flu like illness, headache, myalgia
Abdominal/joint pain, diarrhea, cutaneous gangrene
Rash 3-5 days post fever becoming raised and papular does not spare palms and soles
May be fatal is G6PD deficiency