Disease case studies

Name the 3 diseases caused by bacteria

Tuberculosis

Bacterial meningitis

Ring rot

Name the 3 diseases caused by a virus

HIV/AIDS

Influenza

TMV

Name the 2 diseases caused by a protoctist

Malaria

Potato Blight

Name the 3 diseases caused by fungi

Black sigatoka

Ringworm

Athlete’s foot

How is tuberculosis transmitted?

Through droplet infection like a cough or sneeze

What are some symptoms of tuberculosis?

long term phlegmy and bloody cough

fatigue

loss of appetite and weight loss

What organisms are affected by tuberculosis

Animals

specifically cattle and humans

How is tuberculosis treated

antibiotics

How is bacterial meningitis transmitted

Sharing respiratory and throat secretions with an infected organism (human)

What are some symptoms of bacterial meningitis?

In children and infants: a high pitched or moaning cry

In teenagers and adults: cold feet and hands, vomiting

What organisms are affected by bacterial meningitis?

humans

How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?

vaccine (eg MMR)

How can bacterial meningitis be treated?

intravenous antibiotics

How is Ring rot transmitted?

Seed potato tubers and contaminated machinery can act as a vector

What are the symptoms of Ring rot?

discoloured vascular ring

soft cheese-like rot develops around vascular ring

when squeezed, cheese-like ooze emerges

What organisms are affected by Ring rot?

Potatoes

Tomatoes

How can Ring rot be prevented?

good field hygiene

How can Ring rot be treated?

dispose of infected plants so it does not spread further

How can HIV/AIDS be transmitted?

unprotected sex

sharing needles

breastfeeding from an infected mother

What are some symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

fever

rash

joint pain

muscle pain

What organisms are affected by HIV/AIDS?

humans

How is Influenza transmitted?

droplet infection via coughs and sneezes

What are some symptoms of Influenza?

high temp

feeling weak

dry, chesty cough

cold-like symptoms (eg runny nose)

What organisms are affected by Influenza?

Animals, including humans

How can Influenza be treated?

Bed rest

How is TMV transmitted?

Workers who smoke cigarettes then handling the plants after smoking

contaminated tools

infected plants rubbing on other plants

What are the symptoms of TMV?

plant yellowing

mosaic patterns on leaf

growth stunting

necrosis (death of body tissue)

leaf curling

What organisms are affected by TMV?

plants

How can TMV be treated?

Burn the infected plants

How is malaria transmitted?

Mosquitoes act as vector and bite

What are symptoms of malaria?

high temp

sweats

chills

diarrhoea

How can malaria be prevented?

vaccine

How can malaria be treated?

antimalarial drugs

How is potato blight transmitted?

spreads in foliage and tubers or fruits in wet weather

What are symptoms of potato blight?

Leaves rot, turning brown and shrivel

Mature tomato fruit decay

What organisms are affected by potato blight?

potatoes

tomatoes

How can potato blight be prevented and treated?

grow plants in breezy places

fungicides

How is black sigatoka transmitted?

fungal spores in wind and carried by rain to other plants

What is the visible symptom of black sigatoka?

black streaks on leaves

What organism is affected by black sigatoka?

banana plants

How can black sigatoka be prevented and treated?

fungicides

removal of affected leaes

adequate spacing between plants

efficient drainage within plantation

How is ringworm transmitted?

spores can live on objects for a long time

What is the main symptom of ringworm?

red ring-like rash on skin

What organism is affected by ringworm?

cattle

How is ringworm and athlete’s foot treated?

antifungal cream

How is athlete’s foot transmitted?

contaminated towels, clothing and surfaces

What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?

itchy, red, scaly, flaky, dry skin

What organism is affected by athlete’s foot?

humans

Describe how malaria is transmitted (in detail)

When bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. They usually become infected from previously feeding on other infected people.

Explain, in detail, what happens in your body when you are infected with malaria.

When bite occurs, plasmodium parasites are injected into bloodstream. They quickly pass into the human liver which multiple asexually in the liver cells over the next 7-10 days, without causing any symptoms,  It also infects and destroys red blood cells.