Infectious Diseases Question and Answers

Infectious Diseases

Question 1. What are Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells?
Answer:

Warthin-Finkeldey cells

• Pathognomonic of measles
• Multinucleate giant cells, comprising eosinophilic intra-nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies
• Found in the lung and sputum

Note: Koplik spots: Ulcerated mucosal lesions in the oral cavity near the opening of the Stensen ducts, seen in measles

Read and Learn More Preparatory Manual of Pathology Question and Answers

Question 2. Write a note on tertiary syphilis.
Answer:

Causative organism: Treponema pallidum

Three stages:

1. Primary syphilis

• Characterized by a single firm, non-tender, raised, red lesion (chancre)
• Sites: Penis, cervix, vaginal wall, or anus
• Chancre can heal with or without therapy

2. Secondary syphilis

• Seen in untreated primary syphilis patients
• Presents as painless, superficial lesions on palms or soles of the feet, oral cavity, vagina
• Lymphadenopathy and condyloma latu are associated findings
• Asymptomatic neurosyphilis can also be seen in a few patients

3. Tertiary syphilis

• Three manifestations: Cardiovascular syphilis, neurosyphilis, benign tertiary syphilis
• Cardiovascular syphilis: Presents as aneurysms and aortic regurgitation
• Neurosyphilis: Symptomatic or asymptomatic, asymptomatic neurosyphilis is diagnosed by CSF pleocytosis (increased cell count), elevated protein levels, decreased glucose levels
• Benign tertiary syphilis: Characterized by gumma formation in the liver (hepar located), bone, skin, and mucous membranes. Gummas are nodular lesions, due to the development of delayed hypersensitivity to the bacteria

Note

• Congenital syphilis includes a triad of interstitial keratitis, Hutchinson teeth, and eighth nerve deafness

Question 3. Write a note on viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Answer:

• It is a severe life-threatening multisystem syndrome, characterized by vascular dysregulation and damage, leading to shock
• Symptoms range from fever, headache, myalgia, rash, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia to severe life-threatening disease
• Causative agent: RNA viruses: Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Bunyaviridae, and Flaviviridae
• Caused by direct infection and damage to endothelial cells

Question 4. Write a note on Rhinosporidiosis.
Answer:

Rhinosporidiosis

• Causative agent: Rhinosporidium seeberi
• Characterized by hyperplastic polypoid lesions of the nasal cavity

Microscopy

• Large globular cysts are present surrounded by a heavy inflammatory reaction
• Each of these cysts represents a thick-walled sporangium containing numerous spores