Infectious Diseases: Septicemia, Endocarditis, Lyme, Mono, Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Babesiosis

What is septicemia?

Microbial infection of the blood.

What is toxemia?

The presence of toxins in the blood.

What are common symptoms of septicemia?

Fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, confusion, septic shock, low blood pressure, blood clotting, and increased heart rate.

How can septicemia occur?

Through direct inoculation such as medical procedures or IV drug use, or from infections spreading from another body site.

How is septicemia diagnosed?

Blood cultures.

What is endocarditis?

An infection/inflammation of the endocardium and heart valves.

What are symptoms of endocarditis?

Fever, fatigue, and breathing difficulty.

What organism most commonly causes endocarditis?

Streptococcus viridans.

How does endocarditis commonly develop?

From a local infection that spreads into the bloodstream.

What increases the risk for endocarditis?

Structural abnormalities of heart valves.

What causes Lyme disease?

Borrelia burgdorferi.

What vector transmits Lyme disease?

Ixodes tick.

What is the characteristic rash of Lyme disease?

Bull's-eye rash.

What are symptoms of Lyme disease?

Fatigue, headache, fever, and joint pain.

How is Lyme disease diagnosed?

Blood test detecting antibodies to Borrelia.

What is the treatment for Lyme disease?

Doxycycline.

What virus causes infectious mononucleosis?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

How is infectious mononucleosis transmitted?

Through saliva.

What cells does EBV invade?

B lymphocytes.

What are symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?

Sore throat, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, splenomegaly, and fatigue.

How is infectious mononucleosis diagnosed?

Detection of antibodies or abnormal lymphocytes in blood.

What protozoan causes malaria?

Plasmodium species.

What vector transmits malaria?

Anopheles mosquito.

What cells are invaded during malaria?

Red blood cells.

What are symptoms of malaria?

Jaundice, recurrent fever, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What causes toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasma gondii.

How is toxoplasmosis transmitted?

Undercooked meat, soil/cat feces, or transplacental transfer.

What are symptoms of toxoplasmosis?

Fever, fatigue, and inflammation of lungs, liver, and heart.

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

Biopsy or PCR.

What causes babesiosis?

Babesia microti.

What vector transmits babesiosis?

Ixodes tick.

What are symptoms of babesiosis?

Flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

How is babesiosis identified?

Blood smear showing parasites in RBCs