25.E: Circulatory and Lymphatic System Infections (Exercises)
25.1: Anatomy of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
The circulatory and lymphatic systems are networks of vessels and a pump that transport blood and lymph, respectively, throughout the body. When these systems are infected with a microorganism, the network of vessels can facilitate the rapid dissemination of the microorganism to other regions of the body, sometimes with serious results. In this section, we examine some of the key anatomical features of the circulatory and lymphatic systems, as well as general signs and symptoms of infection.
Multiple Choice
Which term refers to an inflammation of the blood vessels?
- lymphangitis
- endocarditis
- pericarditis
- vasculitis
- Answer
-
D
Which of the following is located in the interstitial spaces within tissues and releases nutrients, immune factors, and oxygen to those tissues?
- lymphatics
- arterioles
- capillaries
- veins
- Answer
-
C
Which of these conditions results in the formation of a bubo?
- lymphangitis
- lymphadenitis
- ischemia
- vasculitis
- Answer
-
B
Which of the following is where most microbes are filtered out of the fluids that accumulate in the body tissues?
- spleen
- lymph nodes
- pericardium
- blood capillaries
- Answer
-
B
Fill in the Blank
Vasculitis can cause blood to leak from damaged vessels, forming purple spots called ________.
- Answer
-
petechiae
The lymph reenters the vascular circulation at ________.
- Answer
-
the subclavian veins
Short Answer
How do lymph nodes help to maintain a microbial-free circulatory and lymphatic system?
Critical Thinking
What term refers to the red streaks seen on this patient’s skin? What is likely causing this condition?
(credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Why would septicemia be considered a more serious condition than bacteremia?
25.2: Bacterial Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Bacterial infections of the circulatory system are almost universally serious. Left untreated, most have high mortality rates. Bacterial pathogens usually require a breach in the immune defenses to colonize the circulatory system. Most often, this involves a wound or the bite of an arthropod vector, but it can also occur in hospital settings and result in nosocomial infections.
Multiple Choice
Which of the following diseases is caused by a spirochete?
- tularemia
- relapsing fever
- rheumatic fever
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Answer
-
B
Which of the following diseases is transmitted by body lice?
- tularemia
- bubonic plague
- murine typhus
- epidemic typhus
- Answer
-
D
What disease is most associated with Clostridium perfringens ?
- endocarditis
- osteomyelitis
- gas gangrene
- rat bite fever
- Answer
-
C
Which bacterial pathogen causes plague?
- Yersinia pestis
- Bacillus moniliformis
- Bartonella quintana
- Rickettsia rickettsii
- Answer
-
A
Fill in the Blank
Lyme disease is characterized by a(n) ________ that forms at the site of infection.
- Answer
-
bull’s eye-rash
________ refers to a loss of blood pressure resulting from a system-wide infection.
- Answer
-
Septic shock
Short Answer
What are the three forms of plague and how are they contracted?
Compare epidemic and murine typhus.
Critical Thinking
Why are most vascular pathogens poorly communicable from person to person?
How have human behaviors contributed to the spread or control of arthropod-borne vascular diseases?
25.3: Viral Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Viral pathogens of the circulatory system vary tremendously both in their virulence and distribution worldwide. Some of these pathogens are practically global in their distribution. Fortunately, the most ubiquitous viruses tend to produce the mildest forms of disease. In the majority of cases, those infected remain asymptomatic. On the other hand, other viruses are associated with life-threatening diseases that have impacted human history.
Multiple Choice
Which of the following viruses is most widespread in the human population?
- human immunodeficiency virus
- Ebola virus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- hantavirus
- Answer
-
C
Which of these viruses is spread through mouse urine or feces?
- Epstein-Barr
- hantavirus
- human immunodeficiency virus
- cytomegalovirus
- Answer
-
B
A patient at a clinic has tested positive for HIV. Her blood contained 700/µL CD4 T cells and she does not have any apparent illness. Her infection is in which stage?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Answer
-
A
Fill in the Blank
________ is a cancer that forms in patients with HHV-4 and malaria coinfections.
- Answer
-
Burkitt lymphoma
________ are transmitted by vectors such as ticks or mosquitoes.
- Answer
-
Arboviruses
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by ________ infections.
- Answer
-
Epstein-Barr virus
Short Answer
Describe the progression of an HIV infection over time with regard to the number of circulating viruses, host antibodies, and CD4 T cells.
Describe the general types of diagnostic tests used to diagnose patients infected with HIV.
Identify the general categories of drugs used in ART used to treat patients infected with HIV.
Critical Thinking
Which is a bigger threat to the US population, Ebola or yellow fever? Why?
25.4: Parasitic Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Some protozoa and parasitic flukes are also capable of causing infections of the human circulatory system. Although these infections are rare in the US, they continue to cause widespread suffering in the developing world today. Malaria, toxoplasmosis, babesiosis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis are discussed in this section.
Multiple Choice
Which of the following diseases is caused by a helminth?
- leishmaniasis
- malaria
- Chagas disease
- schistosomiasis
- Answer
-
D
Which of these is the most common form of leishmaniasis?
- cutaneous
- mucosal
- visceral
- intestinal
- Answer
-
A
Which of the following is a causative agent of malaria?
- Trypanosoma cruzi
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Schistosoma mansoni
- Answer
-
C
Which of the following diseases does not involve an arthropod vector?
- schistosomiasis
- malaria
- Chagas disease
- babesiosis
- Answer
-
A
Fill in the Blank
The ________ mosquito is the biological vector for malaria.
- Answer
-
Anopheles
The kissing bug is the biological vector for ________.
- Answer
-
Chagas disease
Cercarial dermatitis is also known as ________.
- Answer
-
swimmer’s itch
Short Answer
Describe main cause of Plasmodium falciparum infection symptoms.
Why should pregnant women avoid cleaning their cat’s litter box or do so with protective gloves?
Critical Thinking
What measures can be taken to reduce the likelihood of malaria reemerging in the US?