Microbiology - Diseases Cardiovascular Lymphatic Systems - Quick Guides | Microbiology

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Study GuideMicrobiology–Diseases Cardiovascular Lymphatic Systems1.Protozoal and Parasitic DiseasesProtozoa and parasites are living organisms that can cause disease in humans. Some of thesediseases affect the blood, brain, or other organs and are often spread through animals, insects, orcontaminated water. Below are three important examples.1.1ToxoplasmosisToxoplasmosis is aprotozoal diseasecaused byToxoplasma gondii. This organism belongs to agroup called sporozoans.The disease is commonly spread bydomestic house cats. Humans can become infected throughcontact with cat urine or feces, especially when cleaning litter boxes. Once inside the human body, theprotozoa multiply in the bloodstream and go through a complex reproductive cycle.Most infected people experiencemild symptoms, such as fever and general discomfort. In manycases, individuals may not even realize they are infected.However, toxoplasmosis can bevery dangerous in certain people:•Inpregnant women, the protozoa can pass to the unborn baby and cause serious tissuedamage.•InAIDS patients, toxoplasmosis can lead to seizures and inflammation of the brain. In severecases, it can be fatal.1.2MalariaMalaria is a seriousblood diseasecaused by several species of the protozoan genusPlasmodium.These organisms belong to a group known as Sporozoa (also called Apicomplexa).The disease is spread bymosquitoes of the genusAnopheles. When an infected mosquito bites aperson, the parasites enter the bloodstream in a form calledmerozoites. These parasites invade redblood cells.

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Study GuideInside the red blood cells, the protozoa grow and multiply through different life cycle stages.Eventually, the red blood cells burst, releasing large numbers of parasites into the blood. This rupturealso releases toxic substances.These toxins cause the classiccycles of chills and fever, known as paroxysms, that are typical ofmalaria. As red blood cells are repeatedly destroyed,severe anemiadevelops. New red blood cellsare then infected, allowing the cycle to continue.Malaria can be treated with drugs such asquinine, chloroquine, and primaquine. Despite effectivetreatments, malaria remains a major global health problem. The mortality rate is still high, and thedisease infectsabout 300 million people worldwide each year.1.3SchistosomiasisSchistosomiasis is caused by amulticellular parasitic flatworm, commonly called a fluke. Oneimportant species responsible for the disease isSchistosoma mansoni, along with several relatedspecies.These parasites have a complex life cycle. In water, they live insidesnails. Humans become infectedwhen they walk or swim in contaminated water. The parasites canenter directly through the skin,without the need for a bite or wound.Once inside the body, the parasites live and multiply in thebloodstream. They interfere with thenormal flow of blood and lymph and cause damage to surrounding tissues.Severalchemotherapeutic drugsare available to treat schistosomiasis, and treatment can beeffective when the disease is diagnosed early.Key TakeawayProtozoal and parasitic diseases often spread through animals, insects, or water and can haveserious health effects. While some infections cause mild symptoms, others can be life-threatening,especially in vulnerable populations. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and preventive measures areessential for controlling these diseases.2.Bacterial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic SystemsBacterial diseases of thecardiovascular systemaffect the blood, blood vessels, and heart. Someinfections stay limited to these areas, while others spread to different organs of the body.

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Study GuideDiseases of thelymphatic systeminvolve the lymph fluid, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, andlymphoid organs such as the spleen, tonsils, and thymus. Because these systems are closelyconnected, infections often affect both at the same time.2.1Streptococcal SepticemiaSepticemiais a general term for a serious bacterial infection of the blood and blood vessels. In thepast, it was commonly calledblood poisoning.One of the most common causes isStreptococcus pyogenes, a Gram-positive, beta-hemolyticstreptococcus. This infection causes:•High fever•Extreme weakness (malaise)•A dangerous drop in blood pressureIn severe cases,shockmay occur. Treatment requires aggressive antibiotic therapy, usually withpenicillin.Septicemia can also be caused by Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, which releaseendotoxinsthat worsen symptoms.Endocarditis (a Serious Complication)A major complication of streptococcal septicemia isendocarditis, which is an infection of the heartvalves. This condition usually results from immune reactions where antigen-antibody complexesdamage the valves.•Subacute endocarditis(often due toStreptococcus pyogenes) causes fever, weakness, anda heart murmur.•Acute endocarditisis usually caused byStaphylococcus aureusand leads to rapiddestruction of heart valves.In severe cases,heart valve replacement surgerymay be necessary.Rheumatic FeverRheumatic feveris another immune-related condition linked to antigens fromStreptococcuspyogenes. It affects the heart tissues and is often associated with joint inflammation and arthritis,known asrheumatoid arthritis. This condition is commonly preceded by astreptococcal sorethroat.

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Study Guide2.2TularemiaTularemia is caused byFrancisella tularensis, a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium.People can become infected through:•Direct contact with infected animals•Inhalation of bacteria•Eating contaminated rabbit meat•Bites from ticks and other arthropodsThe disease affects the blood and causes fever, weakness, and many nonspecific symptoms.Treatment usually includes antibiotics such asgentamicin.2.3PlaguePlague is caused byYersinia pestis, a Gram-negative rod. The bacteria are carried by rodents andtransmitted to humans by therat flea.The disease can appear in different forms:•Bubonic plague: bacteria infect the lymphatic system, causing swollen lymph nodes calledbuboes•Septicemic plague: bacteria enter the bloodstream•Pneumonic plague: bacteria infect the lungs and can spread through airborne dropletsPlague requiresrapid and aggressive antibiotic treatmentto prevent death.A unique laboratory feature ofYersinia pestisis itssafety-pin appearance, caused by dye collectingat both ends of the cell. This is known asbipolar staining.2.4Brucellosis (Undulant Fever)Brucellosis is also calledundulant feverbecause the fever rises and falls in cycles.The disease is caused by bacteria from the genusBrucella, which includes several species. Thesebacteria are small, Gram-negative rods.

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