Pathogenesis and clinical aspects of
tropical infectious diseases
The written exam counts for 75% (15/20). The exam consists of a 10-15 open questions that cover most
chapters. The questions assess rather general knowledge. Some questions also assess if the student is
able to see relationships between different chapters. 25% (5/20) of the total quotation is dedicated to
the seminar series, where the quality of the presentation and discussion during the seminar is marked.
1. VIRAL ZOONOTIC DISEASES WITH GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT 14/02
3 examples of zoonotic epidemic viruses:
1. HIV: Originates from Simian IV (SIV)
2. Ebola virus: reservoir is not known yet. First reported in 1976
3. Dengue: mosquito born disease. First described in 1780, reported as Dengue in 1960’s
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
THE ORIGINS OF HIV
For finding the origins of HIV, they collected faeces of non-human primates in tropical areas to look
for Ab against HIV-related viruses. On the Ab-positive specimens they looked for viral RNA with PCR.
Using mtDNA sequencing they determined from which animal the faeces were.
A PHYLOGENETIC TREE was build containing SIV and HIV viruses. Many monkeys
and non-human primates have their own specific SIV. HIV viruses such as HIV-1
M caused the worldwide problem of HIV and closely relate to SIV viruses.
- HIV-1 group M is closely related to SIV in chimpanzees
- HIV-1 group P and HIV-1 group O are related to SIV in gorillas
Based on the phylogenetic trees and where the samples were collected, they geographically localised
the initial jump from SIV to humans. They traced in back to the southern part of Cameroon and Gabon
(central – west Africa). The ORIGINS OF HIV-2 are traced back to West-Africa. Also here different
subtypes of HIV-2 have jumped into humans and have been located to specific regions where Sootey
Mangabey monkeys that were infected by specific SIV viruses could be located. Infection can jump to
humans during CAPTURING MONKEYS / PREPARATION OF BUSH MEAT : direct blood-blood contact possible.
1
tropical infectious diseases
The written exam counts for 75% (15/20). The exam consists of a 10-15 open questions that cover most
chapters. The questions assess rather general knowledge. Some questions also assess if the student is
able to see relationships between different chapters. 25% (5/20) of the total quotation is dedicated to
the seminar series, where the quality of the presentation and discussion during the seminar is marked.
1. VIRAL ZOONOTIC DISEASES WITH GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT 14/02
3 examples of zoonotic epidemic viruses:
1. HIV: Originates from Simian IV (SIV)
2. Ebola virus: reservoir is not known yet. First reported in 1976
3. Dengue: mosquito born disease. First described in 1780, reported as Dengue in 1960’s
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
THE ORIGINS OF HIV
For finding the origins of HIV, they collected faeces of non-human primates in tropical areas to look
for Ab against HIV-related viruses. On the Ab-positive specimens they looked for viral RNA with PCR.
Using mtDNA sequencing they determined from which animal the faeces were.
A PHYLOGENETIC TREE was build containing SIV and HIV viruses. Many monkeys
and non-human primates have their own specific SIV. HIV viruses such as HIV-1
M caused the worldwide problem of HIV and closely relate to SIV viruses.
- HIV-1 group M is closely related to SIV in chimpanzees
- HIV-1 group P and HIV-1 group O are related to SIV in gorillas
Based on the phylogenetic trees and where the samples were collected, they geographically localised
the initial jump from SIV to humans. They traced in back to the southern part of Cameroon and Gabon
(central – west Africa). The ORIGINS OF HIV-2 are traced back to West-Africa. Also here different
subtypes of HIV-2 have jumped into humans and have been located to specific regions where Sootey
Mangabey monkeys that were infected by specific SIV viruses could be located. Infection can jump to
humans during CAPTURING MONKEYS / PREPARATION OF BUSH MEAT : direct blood-blood contact possible.
1
