History of Infectious Diseases
Which physician, known as the “Father of Epidemiology,” traced the 1854 London cholera outbreak to a contaminated water pump, laying the foundation for modern epidemiology?
A. Professor Samuelson B. Robert Koch C. John Snow D. Anthony Fauci
C. John Snow
Which structural component of a virus, absent in bacteria, allows it to attach and enter host cells?
Glycoprotein spikes
What is the name for the specific molecules, found on the surface of pathogens, that trigger an immune response?
Antigens
Which of the following is considered an emerging infectious disease?
a) Tuberculosis
b) Measles
c) Zika virus
d) Polio
c) Zika virus
Which disease, once nearly eradicated, is reemerging due to vaccine hesitancy in some countries?
a) Measles
b) Smallpox
c) Polio
d) Tuberculosis
a) Measles
The development of which vaccine by Jonas Salk in the 1950s led to the near-eradication of a viral disease that caused paralysis worldwide?
A. Polio vaccine B. Smallpox vaccine C. Flu vaccine D. Antivirals
A. Polio vaccine
What process allows certain bacteria to exchange genetic material, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance?
Horizontal gene transfer, specifically conjugation
Who is your favorite STEP Professor
Professor Samuelson
What term refers to diseases that originate in animals but can be transmitted to humans?
a) Vector-borne diseases
b) Zoonotic diseases
c) Nosocomial infections
d) Opportunistic infections
b) Zoonotic diseases
What factor contributes most to the reemergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis?
a) Climate change
b) Poor sanitation
c) Misuse of antibiotics
d) Global travel
c) Misuse of antibiotics
The concept of “quarantine” originated during which pandemic in the 14th century, where ships were required to remain isolated for 40 days before entering Venice?
A. Spanish Flu B. Black Death, or bubonic plague C.Cholera Pandemic D. COVID-19
B. Black Death, or bubonic plague
What is the key distinguishing feature between a lytic viral infection and a lysogenic infection?
The destruction of the host cell in lytic infections, while in lysogenic infections, the viral genome integrates into the host’s DNA and remains dormant
Which of the following is a parasitic protozoan responsible for malaria?
a) Trypanosoma
b) Toxoplasma
c) Plasmodium
d) Giardia
c) Plasmodium
Which highly pathogenic virus, primarily transmitted by fruit bats, caused a large outbreak in West Africa from 2014-2016?
Ebola virus
Which vector-borne disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, has reemerged due to insecticide resistance in tropical regions?
a) Yellow fever
b) Malaria
c) Chikungunya
d) Leishmaniasis
b) Malaria
Which historical pandemic of the 6th century, named after a Roman Emperor, is considered one of the first major recorded instances of bubonic plague in Europe?
A. Russian Flu B. Cholera Pandemic C. Spanish Flu D. Plague of Justinian
D. Plague of Justinian
Which virus family includes both the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, both of which can cause latent infections and reactivate later in life?
Herpesvirus family
What type of toxin is released by gram-negative bacteria, often leading to septic shock?
a) Exotoxin
b) Endotoxin
c) Neurotoxin
d) Enterotoxin
b) Endotoxin
What are prions, and how are they unique compared to other infectious agents?
a) Misfolded proteins that cause disease
b) Double-stranded RNA viruses
c) Single-celled bacteria
d) Multicellular parasites
a) Misfolded proteins that cause disease
Which infectious disease, spread by respiratory droplets, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is reemerging due to drug-resistant strains?
a) Diphtheria
b) Tuberculosis
c) Whooping cough
d) Scarlet fever
b) Tuberculosis
What was the significance of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and how did it shape modern bioethics regarding infectious disease research?
B. The unethical withholding of treatment from African American men with syphilis to study the progression of the disease, leading to stricter ethical standards for medical research
What is the molecular mechanism by which bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus develop resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics?
The production of beta-lactamase enzymes that degrade the antibiotic, or the alteration of penicillin-binding proteins?
Which molecule allows bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus to resist antibiotics like methicillin?
a) Beta-lactamase
b) Protease
c) Amylase
d) Lipase
a) Beta-lactamase
Which mosquito-borne disease caused by a flavivirus emerged in the Americas in 2015, leading to increased cases of microcephaly in newborns?
a) Dengue
b) Zika
c) Chikungunya
d) Malaria
b) Zika
Environmental changes, such as deforestation, are contributing to the reemergence of which vector-borne disease in urban areas?
a) Dengue fever
b) Ebola
c) Rabies
d) Cholera
a) Dengue fever