Medical Microbiology

28 1 GeneralAspectsofMedicalMicrobiology

Tab. 1. 9 TransmissionPathwaysofPathogenicMicroorganisms

Directtransmission Indirecttransmission

Fecal-oral(smearinfection) Transmissionviafood

Aerogenictransmission

(dropletinfection)

Transmissionviadrinkingwater

Genitaltransmission

(duringsexualintercourse)

Transmissionviacontaminatedinanimateobjects

orliquids

Transmissionviaskin(rare) Transmissionviavectors(arthropods)

Diaplacentaltransmission Transmissionviaotherpersons(e.g.,viathehands

ofhospitalmedicalstaff)

Perinataltransmission

(inthecourseofbirth)

Tab. 1. 10 ExamplesofZoonosesCausedbyViruses,Bacteria,Protozoans,Hel-

minths,andArthropods

Zoonoses Pathogen Reservoirhosts Transmission

Viralzoonoses

Rabies Rhabdoviridae Numerousanimal

species

Biteofdiseasedanimals

Tickborneence-

phalitis(TBE)

Flaviviridae Wildanimals Ticks

Bacterialzoonoses

Brucellosis Brucellaspp. Cattle,pig,goat,

sheep,(dog)

Contactwithtissuesor

secretionsfromdiseased

animals;milkanddairy

products

Lymedisease Borrelia

burgdorferi

Wildrodents;

reddeer,roedeer

Ticks

Plague Yersiniapestis Rodents Contactwithdiseased

animals;biteofratflea

Qfever Coxiellaburnetii Sheep,goat,

cattle

Dust;possiblymilkor

dairyproducts

Enteric

salmonellosis

Salmonella

enterica(enteric

serovars)

Pig,cattle,

poultry

Meat,milk,eggs

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Kayser, Medical Microbiology © 2005 Thieme