Week 2

• What are the symptoms of Typhus?


  Cough, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, chills, confusion, low blood pressure
• What is the vector for Typhus?


  Flea
• How can Typhus be prevented?


  Using insect repellants/insecticides and maintaining good hygiene
• What are the symptoms of Typhoid?


  Abdominal tenderness, agitation, bloody stool, chills, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, nose bleeds, and fatigue
• What is the vector for Typhoid?


  Contaminated food or water
• How can Typhoid be prevented?


  Through vaccination and good hygiene
• What are the two morphological forms of Chlamydia bacteria?


  • Elementary bodies
  • Reticular bodies
• What is the infectious form of Chlamydia called?


  Elementary bodies
• What are the characteristics of elementary bodies?


  They are resistant to environmental factors, have a granular cytoplasm, and are metabolically inactive
• What is the diameter of elementary bodies?


  About 0.2 to 0.3 micrometers
• What are reticular bodies?


  Metabolically active, intracellular reproductive forms of Chlamydia found only inside host cells
• What is the diameter range of reticular bodies?


  About 0.5 to 2.0 micrometers
• How do reticular bodies reproduce?


  They divide via binary fission
• What are the general features of Chlamydiaceae?


  • Non-motile
  • Obligate intracellular coccoid shaped parasites
  • Small enough to pass through 0.45µm filters
  • Contain and synthesize DNA, RNA, ribosomes, proteins, and lipids
  • Debatable existence of peptidoglycan
  • Energy parasites that lack ATP-generating ability
• What is the leading cause of blindness due to infectious disease?

  Chlamydia Trachomatis
• What does the acronym SAFE stand for in relation to Chlamydia Trachomatis prevention?


  Surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement
• By how much did the number of Chlamydia Trachomatis cases decrease from 2002 to May 2020?


  91% decrease
• What are the specific strains of Chlamydia Trachomatis that cause trachoma?


  Type A, B, and C
• How does trachoma lead to blindness?


  Repeated infections can cause scarring of the cornea, leading to blurred vision and blindness
• How is trachoma transmitted?


  Through contact with infected flies, fomites, or by touch
• What public health measures help control trachoma?


  Improved sanitation, access to clean water, and mass drug administration
• What are the two main forms of inclusion conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis?


  • Neonatal form: inclusion blenorrhoea
  • Adult form
• How is the neonatal form of inclusion conjunctivitis contracted?


  By infants during birth through the infected birth canal
• What are the symptoms of neonatal inclusion conjunctivitis?


  Redness and inflammation of the eyes, excessive tearing, and yellowish discharge
• What can neonatal inclusion conjunctivitis lead to?


  It can lead to infant pneumonia
• How is the adult form of inclusion conjunctivitis spread?


  Through sexual contact or contaminated swimming pools
• What are the symptoms of genital Chlamydiasis in men?


  • Urethritis: burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, white discharge
  • Epididymitis: pain and swelling in the scrotum
  • Rectal inflammation: pain, bleeding, and discharge
  • Reiter's syndrome: affecting joints, eyes, and skin
• What are the symptoms of genital Chlamydiasis in women?


  • Urethritis: burning sensation when urinating
  • Cervicitis: inflammation of the cervix with discharge
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): pain, fever, abnormal bleeding
  • Infertility and ectopic pregnancy risks
  • Postpartum fever
• What is Psittacosis also known as?


  Parrot fever
• What causes Psittacosis?


  It is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci
• How is Psittacosis transmitted?

  Through inhalation of airborne droplets, handling infected birds, or contacting contaminated surfaces
• What are the mild symptoms of Psittacosis?


  Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches
• Who is at higher risk of contracting Psittacosis?

  Occupational groups, individuals with weakened immune systems, and older adults
• How can Psittacosis be prevented?

  Avoiding contact with infected birds, maintaining proper hygiene, and ensuring proper ventilation
• How is Psittacosis treated?


  It is treated with antibiotics
• What are Rickettsiae?


  Obligate intracellular parasites that cannot survive or reproduce outside the host cell
• How do Rickettsiae multiply?


  By binary fission but only in infected cells
• What are the four distinct genera of Rickettsiae?


  Rickettsia, Orientia, Coxiella, and Ehrlichia
• What disease is caused by Rickettsia prowazekii?


  Typhus
• What was the impact of the outbreak of Typhus in England from 1557-59?


  It killed 10% of the population