Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste.

What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?

Heart, blood, and vessels.

What are the two circuits of the cardiovascular system?

Pulmonary (lungs) and systemic (body).

What is the role of the lymphatic system?

Drains excess interstitial fluid and filters pathogens.

What is lymph?

Interstitial fluid returned to the blood.

What do lymph nodes contain and what is their function?

Contain B- and T-cells; they filter lymph.

What organs are included in the lymphatic system?

Spleen, thymus, and bone marrow.

What are the drainage ducts of the lymphatic system?

Thoracic duct (left) and right lymphatic duct (right).

What are the types of cells found in the lymphatic system?

B-cells, T-cells, and macrophages.

What is bacteraemia?

Bacteria in the blood.

What is the difference between septicaemia and sepsis?

Septicaemia is multiplying bacteria in blood; sepsis is the inflammatory response to septicaemia.

What characterizes severe sepsis?

A drop in blood pressure.

What is septic shock?

Uncontrollable low blood pressure.

What is the most common cause of bloodstream infections in the UK?

E. coli, with a rising trend.

What bacteria is associated with puerperal sepsis?

Strep. pyogenes post-childbirth.

What historical figure is noted for improving maternal death rates through hand hygiene?

Semmelweis.

What are the two types of endocarditis?

Subacute (alpha-haemolytic streptococci) and acute (Staph. aureus).

How can endocarditis enter the body?

Through dental work, piercings, or wounds.

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

Fever, chills, weight loss, cough, heart murmur.

What complications can arise from endocarditis?

Vegetations, valve destruction, and emboli.

What are the main causes of pericarditis?

Viral (Coxsackievirus), bacterial (Staph., Pneumo), or fungal.

What symptoms are associated with pericarditis?

Chest pain, breathlessness, and dry cough.

What type of disease is the plague and what bacterium causes it?

Caused by Yersinia pestis.

What are the forms of plague?

Bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.

What vector and reservoir are associated with the plague?

Flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) and rats.

What is the treatment for the plague?

Antibiotics; high mortality if untreated.

What vector spreads Lyme Disease?

Ticks.

What are early symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Bull’s-eye rash and flu-like symptoms.

What are the late symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Arthritis, Bell’s palsy, meningitis, myocarditis.

What are the chronic issues associated with Lyme Disease?

Fatigue and neurocognitive problems.

What diseases does Epstein-Barr Virus cause?

Glandular fever (mono) and Burkitt’s lymphoma.

How is Epstein-Barr Virus transmitted?

Through saliva.

What are the symptoms of Epstein-Barr Virus infection?

Fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, liver/spleen enlargement.

What is one of the serious effects of congenital Cytomegalovirus?

Hearing loss.

What are the examples of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)?

Ebola, Lassa, Marburg.

What are the main symptoms of VHFs?

Fever leading to bleeding and vascular collapse.

What is the primary treatment for HIV/AIDS?

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

What is a significant risk factor in HIV/AIDS infection stages?

CD4+ cell decline.

What class of drugs is used in HIV treatment to suppress replication?

NRTIs, NNRTIs, Protease inhibitors, Fusion inhibitors, and Integrase inhibitors.

What transmission method is associated with Toxoplasmosis?

Cat feces.

What organism causes malaria?

Plasmodium spp.

What is the main vector that transmits malaria?

Anopheles mosquito.