The name of the microorganisms and the microbial diseases
are some times dervied from the place of first isolation of the organism or
occurrence of the disease. Some times these names create confusion because the
organism initially isolated from particular location, now may be prevalent all
over the world so is the disease.
In this blog post I have compiled the list of some of the viruses, viral disease, bacteria and bacterial diseases etc so that you can see the disease and organism in alternative ways also. I hope you will enjoy this blog post, please do let forget to share with friends and leave a comment if there is something important you want to share with me.
- California
Encephalitis virus: California encephalitis virus, a member of the
bunyavirus family, was first
isolated from mosquitoes in California in 1952, but its name is something of a
misnomer because most human disease occurs in the north-central states of USA.
The strain of the California Encephalitis virus that causes encephalitis most
frequently is called La Crosse (for the city of Wisconsin where it was first
isolated).
La Crosse virus is the most common arboviral cause of encephalitis in the United States of America. It is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes. - Colorado
Tick Fever Virus (CTF): Colorado tick fever is a reovirus transmitted by the wood tick
among the small rodents eg, Chipmunks and Squirrrels, of the Rocky Mountains.
There are approximately 100-300 cases per year in the United States of America.
This disease occurs primarily in people hiking or camping in the Rocky Moutains and is characterized by fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, and severe myalgia. Diagnosis is done by virus isolation (from blood) or by detecting the rise in antibody titre. No antiviral therapy or vaccine is available. Prevention involves wearing protective clothing and inspecting the skin for ticks. - Eastern
Equine encephalitis virus: It is a member of togavirus family. It causes Encephalitis along the east coast of
the United States of America. Encephalitis is severe but uncommon. This virus
is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes from small wild birds, such as sparrow.
There is no antiviral therapy and non vaccine for humans.
- Ebola Virus:Ebola virus a member of filovirus family is named for the river in Zaire that was the site of outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in 1976. The mortality rate associated with Ebola virus is nearly 100%. Ebola virus causes shock, gastrointestinal bleeding disseminated intravascular coagulation. Severe thrombocytopenia causes hemorrhages. Most of the cases arise by secondary transmission from contact with the patient’s blood or secretions. Natural host of this virus is unknown. Diagnosis is made by isolating the virus or by detecting rise in antibody titre. No antiviral therapy is available.
- Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or African sleeping sickness
- Japanese Encephalitis Virus: It is the most common cause of epidemic encephalitis. The disease is most prevalent in South East Asia.Japanese Encephalitis virus is a member of the flavivirus family. It is transmitted to human by certain sepcies of Culex mosquitoes endemic to Asian rice fields. Disease diagnosis can be done by isolating virus, detecting IgM antibody in serum or spinal fluid, or by staining brain tissue with fluorescent antibody. There is no antiviral therapy. Prevention consists of prevention from mosquito bites.
- Lassa Fever Virus: This virus was first seen in Lassa town of Nigeria in 1969. Lassa fever virus is the member of arenavirus family. It causes a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever, death occurs by vascular collapse.The virus is transmitted to humans by contamination of food or water with animal urine. Small rodent called Mastomys is the natural host for Lassa fever virus. Ribavirin if given early reduces mortality rate. No vaccine is available.
- Marburg Virus: It is the member of the filovirus family. It causes hemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate of nearly 100%. Marburg virus was first recognized as a cause of human disease in 1967 in Marburg, Germany. Natural reservoir of Marburg Virus is still unknown. In 2005, Marburg virus outbreaks killed hundreds of people in Angola. Isolation of virus or detection in rise in antibody titre is used as diagnostic tools. No antiviral therapy and vaccine is available.
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- Rift Valley Fever:
- Rive Blindness: Caused by Onchocerca volvulus
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:
- St. Louis Encephalitis virus:St. Louis Encephalitis Virus is found in the
southern, central and western states and causes 10-30 cases of encephalitis per
year in the United States. St. Louis Encephalitis Virus is transmitted by
several species of Culex mosquitoes. Small wild birds esp English sparrow are
the reservoir and humans are the dead end hosts.
In contrast of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis virus which are predominantly rural, St. Louis Encephalitis virus occurs in urban areas (because of the preference of these mosquitoes to breed in stagnant water) - Swimming pool granuloma: Caused by Mycobacterium marinum
- Western Equine Encephalitis virus: It causes less severe illness and 5-20 cases
of Western Equine Encephalitis virus occurs every year in USA with a mortality
rate of 20%. This virus is transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes among
wild-bird population of the western states, especially in areas with irrigated
farmland. No antiviral therapy for human is available. Diagnosis is made by
isolating virus or observing rise in antibody titre.
- West Nile Virus (WNV): West Nile Virus is a flavivirus that is classified in the same antigenic group as St. Louis Encephalitis Virus. It is endemic in Africa but has caused encephalitis in areas of Europe and Asia as well. Wild animals are main reservoirs of this virus, which is transmitted mainly by culex mosquitoes.
Out breaks of West Nile Virus Encephalitis in United States of America
a.
In 1999: West Nile Virus caused first outbreak
of encephalitis in New Work City and Environs in July-September 1999, with
approximately 5 deaths.
b.
In 2000: West Nile Virus outbreak occurred along
the East Coast (From New Hampshire to Florida) and as far west as Louisiana.
c.
In 2002, a major outbreak occurred which killed
about 274 people and the disease spread up to Colorado, this was the highest
number of deaths ever caused by a mosquito borne encephalitis in the United
States.
d.
In 2003,
there were 1700 cases, of whom 166 died, and the West Nile Virus spread to
California.
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