Which of the following lists contains only bacterial zoonoses?

MNS 2024

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Hard

Appeared in: MNS 2024

Explanation

This option is correct because it exclusively lists diseases that are both caused by bacteria and are zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans).
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by ticks.
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, found in the urine of infected animals.
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, typically transmitted by fleas from rodents.
Brucellosis is caused by Brucella bacteria, transmitted through contact with infected animals or consuming their unpasteurized products.

Option A: This list is incorrect because it includes Chikungunya fever, which is a viral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus, not a bacterium.
Option B: This list is incorrect because it contains Yellow fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Yellow fever virus.
Option C: This list is incorrect as it includes two viral diseases: Chikungunya fever and Japanese Encephalitis. Both are caused by viruses and transmitted by mosquitoes.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of zoonotic diseases based on the causative pathogen (bacterial vs. viral) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Differentiating between bacterial and viral infections is a fundamental clinical skill, as it dictates the primary treatment plan. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, whereas viral infections typically require supportive care.
A thorough patient history, including travel, occupation (e.g., farmer, veterinarian), and exposure to animals or contaminated water, is crucial for diagnosing potential zoonotic diseases.
What if? If a patient presents with fever and joint pain after a camping trip, the nurse should consider Lyme disease (bacterial) and ask about tick bites, but also consider viral causes. The presence of a bull's-eye rash would strongly point towards Lyme disease, prompting antibiotic therapy.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the two key components of the question: 'bacterial' (caused by bacteria) and 'zoonoses' (transmitted from animals to humans).
Read through each option and scan for any disease you recognize as being viral.
In Option A, identify 'Chikungunya fever' as viral. Eliminate this option.
In Option B, identify 'Yellow fever' as viral. Eliminate this option.
In Option C, identify 'Chikungunya fever' and 'Japanese Encephalitis' as viral. Eliminate this option.
This leaves Option D as the only possibility. Quickly verify that Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Plague, and Brucellosis are all bacterial infections transmitted from animals.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of zoonotic diseases based on the causative pathogen (bacterial vs. viral).
Stem keywords: bacterial zoonoses, lists, only
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

QHjJrR5Vve9h45vrsA5wUa

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 153-155

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1659-1661