Zoonotic diseases and rabies submission

What is a zoonosis?

Any disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa

What types of pathogens can cause zoonotic diseases?

Viral, bacterial, protozoal, and helminths

What is direct contact transmission of zoonotic diseases?

Contact with saliva, blood, urine, mucous, feces, or other body fluids of an infected animal

What are examples of direct contact transmission?

Petting, touching animals, bites, or scratches

What is indirect contact transmission of zoonotic diseases?

Contact with contaminated environments or objects

What are examples of indirect contact transmission?

Aquarium water, pet habitats, barns, soil, plants, food/water dishes

What is vector-borne transmission of zoonotic diseases?

Transmission through bites from ticks, mosquitoes, or fleas

What is foodborne transmission of zoonotic diseases?

Eating contaminated food such as raw milk, undercooked meat/eggs, or contaminated produce

What is waterborne transmission of zoonotic diseases?

Contact with or ingestion of water contaminated with feces

What causes dermatophytosis (ringworm)?

Dermatophytes such as Microsporum and Trichophyton

What organism causes scabies in animals?

Sarcoptes scabiei

What is another name for scabies?

Mange

What is a key clinical sign of scabies?

Severe itching

How is scabies transmitted?

Direct contact with mites

What do scabies mites do in the skin?

Burrow under the skin

How is scabies diagnosed?

Skin scrapings

What is cutaneous larva migrans?

A skin condition where larvae penetrate and migrate through the skin

What is another name for cutaneous larva migrans?

Creeping eruption

What parasite causes cutaneous larva migrans?

Ancylostoma

What causes visceral larva migrans?

Ingestion of eggs or larvae of roundworms

What organs are affected in visceral larva migrans?

Liver, eyes, and CNS

What genus is commonly responsible for visceral larva migrans?

Toxocara

What protozoa causes giardiasis?

Giardia lamblia

What is another name for giardiasis?

Beaver fever

What are common clinical signs of giardiasis?

Foul-smelling diarrhea, gas, vomiting

What medications are used to treat giardiasis?

Metronidazole and albendazole

What is the first step in the life cycle of Echinococcus granulosus?

Eggs are shed in feces

What animals ingest Echinococcus eggs?

Sheep and deer

How do dogs contribute to Echinococcus transmission?

Through saliva after licking themselves

Where do Echinococcus larvae migrate in the body?

Liver or lungs

What structure forms in Echinococcus infection?

Hydatid cyst

What is inside hydatid cysts?

Thousands of protoscolices

How does the Echinococcus life cycle continue after cyst formation?

Cysts are ingested and scolices attach to the intestine

What causes toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasma gondii

What are common effects of toxoplasmosis in humans?

Mild illness, congenital neurologic effects, mental disabilities, spontaneous abortion

How is toxoplasmosis transmitted?

Through contaminated meat and feces of cats and sheep

What organism causes cat scratch fever?

Bartonella henselae

How is cat scratch fever transmitted?

Through scratches or bites

What are common signs of cat scratch fever?

Fever and swollen lymph nodes

What severe complication can occur in immunocompromised patients with cat scratch fever?

Bacillary angiomatosis

What organism is most commonly isolated from dog and cat bite abscesses?

Pasteurella multocida

What other organism is associated with bite infections?

Capnocytophaga

What clinical signs occur with bite abscess infections?

Swelling, cellulitis, abscess, lymphadenopathy, septicemia

What virus causes rabies?

Rabies virus

What are classic signs associated with rabies?

Hydrophobia, rage, dumb or mad behavior

How does rabies enter the body?

Through mucous membranes or bite wounds

What animals can carry rabies?

Any warm-blooded animal

What are common reservoir species for rabies?

Bats, foxes, skunks, raccoons

When does rabies virus shedding typically occur?

Less than 10 days before clinical signs

Where does rabies initially replicate in the body?

Myocytes (muscle cells)

How does rabies reach the central nervous system?

Travels via unmyelinated sensory neurons

Where does rabies spread after reaching the CNS?

Skin, intestines, and salivary glands

What is the incubation period for rabies?

Weeks to months

What happens during the prodromal stage of rabies?

Behavioral changes and highest risk of exposure

What behavior is seen in the prodromal stage?

Biting at the injection site

What occurs during the furious stage of rabies?

Hyperactivity and unprovoked attacks

What is dumb rabies?

A form with stupor instead of aggression

What occurs during the paralytic stage of rabies?

Ascending paralysis leading to respiratory failure and death

What is the most common diagnostic test for rabies?

Direct Fluorescent Antibody (dFA) test

What is an older diagnostic test for rabies?

Mouse inoculation

How is rabies prevented?

Vaccination (pre- and post-exposure) and quarantine

How long should animals be quarantined for rabies observation?

Minimum of 10 days

What should be submitted for rabies testing in bats and small rodents?

Whole body

What should be submitted for rabies testing in dogs, cats, and wildlife?

Whole head

What animals typically require brain submission for rabies testing?

Large dogs, livestock, horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

How should rabies samples be handled?

Fresh, refrigerated, not frozen, not fixed in formalin

What parts of the brain are needed for rabies testing?

Brain stem and spinal cord

What methods are used for euthanasia in suspected rabies cases?

Inhalant overdose (isoflurane/sevoflurane) or barbiturate overdose

What is the post-exposure treatment for vaccinated individuals exposed to rabies?

Two doses of human rabies vaccine on days 0 and 3, no HRIG

What is the post-exposure treatment for unvaccinated individuals exposed to rabies?

HRIG on day 0 and vaccines on days 0, 3, 7, and 14

What additional treatment is needed for immunocompromised patients exposed to rabies?

A 5th vaccine dose on day 28 and titer check

What wound care is required after rabies exposure?

Thorough cleaning and tetanus prophylaxis