Summary of Global Health and infectious diseases minor
Diagnostics
Test Cost Infrastructure Training TAT Accuracy
Microscopy $ + + 1-2 hours + / ++
Culture $$$ +++ ++++ 1-2 days +++
Serology $$ ++ ++ Hours/ 1 day ++
PCR $$ / $$$$ + / ++++ + / ++++ 2 hrs / 2 days ++++
Microscopy: malaria, TB, pneumonia, meningitis
Culture: bacteria
Serology: viruses
PCR: bloody everything
Pathogen barcoding
By sequencing the genome of a pathogen, different strains and different subtypes can be found in
order to know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Vector-borne diseases
A disease transmitted by a vector. Arboviruses fall under this category. (Arbo = arthropod-borne)
Examples of vectors are:
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks They all feed on blood
- Culicoides.
Most vector-borne diseases start in animals. With the reservoir being, naturally, an animal species.
This would be an Enzootic cycle. (Animal vector animal)
The disease however, can jump to humans. Therefore, creating an Urban epidemic cycle (human
vector human).
Important concept: Vector competence – the ability of a vector to transmit the disease.
Three different types of frequent occurring arboviruses.
- Bunyaviridae enveloped ssRNA-. Genetic material consists of three groups: L – RNA
dependent RNA polymerase. M – Viral glycoproteins. S – Nucleocapsid protein.
Replication: ssRNA- mRNA
Exits cell via golgi exocytose.
- Flaviviridae ssRNA+. Genetic material consists of one piece of RNA.
Replication: ssRNA+ dsRNA mRNA
Exits cell via budding.
- Togaviridae ssRNA+.
Replication: ssRNA+ dsRNA mRNA
Exits cell via secretory pathway.
Diagnostics
Test Cost Infrastructure Training TAT Accuracy
Microscopy $ + + 1-2 hours + / ++
Culture $$$ +++ ++++ 1-2 days +++
Serology $$ ++ ++ Hours/ 1 day ++
PCR $$ / $$$$ + / ++++ + / ++++ 2 hrs / 2 days ++++
Microscopy: malaria, TB, pneumonia, meningitis
Culture: bacteria
Serology: viruses
PCR: bloody everything
Pathogen barcoding
By sequencing the genome of a pathogen, different strains and different subtypes can be found in
order to know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Vector-borne diseases
A disease transmitted by a vector. Arboviruses fall under this category. (Arbo = arthropod-borne)
Examples of vectors are:
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks They all feed on blood
- Culicoides.
Most vector-borne diseases start in animals. With the reservoir being, naturally, an animal species.
This would be an Enzootic cycle. (Animal vector animal)
The disease however, can jump to humans. Therefore, creating an Urban epidemic cycle (human
vector human).
Important concept: Vector competence – the ability of a vector to transmit the disease.
Three different types of frequent occurring arboviruses.
- Bunyaviridae enveloped ssRNA-. Genetic material consists of three groups: L – RNA
dependent RNA polymerase. M – Viral glycoproteins. S – Nucleocapsid protein.
Replication: ssRNA- mRNA
Exits cell via golgi exocytose.
- Flaviviridae ssRNA+. Genetic material consists of one piece of RNA.
Replication: ssRNA+ dsRNA mRNA
Exits cell via budding.
- Togaviridae ssRNA+.
Replication: ssRNA+ dsRNA mRNA
Exits cell via secretory pathway.
