Exam 32: Epidemiology

Based on recent hospital studies, Escherichia coli seems to be decreasing in pathogenic virulence.

The term __________is applied to strains and preparations of Bacillus anthracis that exhibit properties that enhance dissemination and use as biological weapons.

Describe three reasons why infectious diseases are easily spread in hospital environments.

Many parasites use antigenic variation to decrease virulence within a specific host.

A large number of cases of a particular disease observed in a relatively short period of time in an area that previously experienced only sporadic cases of the disease is known as a(n)

When the life cycle of a disease agent is dependent on a single host species the pathogen can be eradicated.

Currently, about 100 cases of__________ are reported each year in the United States, over half due to infections imported by visitors from other countries.

Differentiate between acute and chronic carriers of a disease.

Hospital and nursing home patients are susceptible to serious infections because

Which of the following is an example of an opportunistic pathogen found in a hospital environment?

Which group of organisms is considered a major epidemiological problem because of their rapid, unpredictable genetic mutations?

You are planning a whitewater rafting vacation in Kenya. Based on what you know about microbiology, what precautions should you take to return in the best of health?

"Typhoid Mary" is a classic example of a(n) __________, because she was infected by the causative agent for typhoid fever yet was asymptomatic.

A disease that is present in unusually high numbers throughout the world is called a(n)

Filoviruses generally have a mortality rate of greater than__________ percent.

In the absence of susceptible hosts, Clostridium tetani would still survive in nature.

A ground- glass appearance on blood agar is characteristic of

Treponema pallidum cannot be spread via fomites, because the bacterium

Virtually all individuals who are at risk for acquiring HIV share two specific behavior patterns, which are ___________ and __________.

Explain how increasing water surface area, such as enlarging a shoreline during damming, can also increase the incidence of disease in the area. Also indicate a disease that can increase due to this action.