Zoonoses

Question 1

Definition of a Zoonoses

Answer 1

Infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans

Question 2

4 diseases that are commonly mistaken for zoonoses

Answer 2

• Malaria
• Schistosomiasis (snail fever)
• Oncoceriasis (river blindness)
• Elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis)

Question 3

What is Anthroponosis

Answer 3

Reverse of zoonose, in that humans infect animals

Question 4

4 examples of Anthroponosis

Answer 4

• Influenza (virus affecting birds and pigs)
• Strep throat (bacteria affecting dogs)
• Leishmaniasis (parasite affecting dogs)
• Chytridiomycosis (fungus affecting amphibians)

Question 5

5 bacterial zoonoses

Answer 5

• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Anthrax
• Leptospirosis
• Brucella

Question 6

5 viral zoonoses

Answer 6

• Rabies
• Avian Influenza
• Ebola Virus
• West Nile Fever
• Crimean-congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Question 7

3 parasitic zoonoses

Answer 7

• Toxoplasmosis
• Visceral Larva Migrans (toxocara)
• Cysticercosis

Question 8

2 fungal zoonoses

Answer 8

• Dermatophytoses

- Sporotrichosis

Question 9

4 common zoonoses in the UK

Answer 9

• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Toxoplasma
• Ringworm/dermatophytosis

Question 10

4 uncommon zoonoses in the UK

Answer 10

• Anthrax
• Rabies
• Bubonic Plague
• Acute Brucellosis

Question 11

What virus causes Rabies and how it transmitted

Answer 11

• Lyssavirus

- Bite from infected animal (97% from dogs)

Question 12

Incubation period of Rabies

Answer 12

2wks to several months

Question 13

What does Rabies to the body

Answer 13

• Travels to brain via peripheral nerves
• Causes an acute Encephalitis
  Malaise, headache & fever
  Progressing to mania, lethargy & coma
  Over production of saliva & tears
  Unable to swallow & hydrophobia
  Death by Respiratory fever

Question 14

How to diagnose Rabies

Answer 14

• PCR of saliva or CSF
• Often confirmed post mortem on brain biopsy

Diagnosis is difficult

Question 15

Management of Rabies

Answer 15

• Immediately after bite give post-exposure prophylaxis
  Human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG)
  Infiltrated round the bite (if possible)
  +4 doses of rabies vaccine over 14 days

Question 16

What is Brucellosis

Answer 16

• Occupational hazard of farmers, vets and slaughter house workers
• Organisms are excreted in milk, placenta and aborted foetus
• Acute brucellosis may begin with mild flu-like symptoms or symptoms such as:
  Fever
  Abdominal pain
  Back pain
  Chills
  Excessive sweating
  Fatigue

Question 17

If you suspect Brucellosis what must you do to prevent spread

Answer 17

Inform the laboratory of your suspicion as there’s a risk of spread in the lab.

Question 18

How is Brucella categorised

Answer 18

Small, gram negative coccobacilli

Question 19

Incubation of Brucella

Answer 19

5-30 days (up to 6 months)

Question 20

4 stages of symptoms

Answer 20

• Acute (now very rare in Scotland)
• Subacute
• Chronic
• Subclinical (commonest)

Question 21

Describe the Acute presentation of Brucellosis

Answer 21

• Last 1-3 weeks
• High, undulant, fever
• Weakness, headaches
• Drenching sweats
• Splenomegaly

Question 22

Describe the subacute presentation of Brucellosis

Answer 22

• Lasts over 1 month

- Fever and joint pains (knee, hip, back SI joints)

Question 23

Describe the chronic presentation of Brucellosis

Answer 23

• Lasts for months or years
• Flu-like symptoms
• Malaise
• Depression
• Chronic arthritis
• Endocarditis
• Splenomegaly

Question 24

Describe the subclinical presentation of Brucellosis

Answer 24

• Most common form

- 50% of exposed have positive serology

Question 25

Treatment for Brucellosis

Answer 25

- Long acting Doxycycline for 2-3 months - Rifampicin or Intramuscular Gentamycin for first week(s) - Add Cotrimoxazole for 2 weeks in CNS disease

Question 26

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Answer 26

Flu like symptoms, then jaundice and renal failure

Question 27

Treatment for Leptospirosis

Answer 27

Penicillin ASAP

Question 28

What is Toxoplasmosis

Answer 28

- Caused by Toxoplasma Gondii - Usually asymptomatic - Can get flu-like symptoms, such as: high temperature (fever) aching muscles tiredness feeling sick sore throat swollen glands - Pneumonia - Symptoms normally resolve on their own within ~6 weeks

Question 29

Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis

Answer 29

- IgM antibodies, indicates acute infection | - Toxoplasma dye test, +ve within 1 month and remains +ve for the rest of your life.

Question 30

Treatment for Toxoplasmosis

Answer 30

- Most don't require treatment - Sulphonamide and Pyrimethamine - Occasionally Tetracycline