Biology ยท Science General

Disease Causative Agents

2,258 Questions

Disease causative agents questions test your understanding of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, along with their transmission methods. These are common topics in general science sections of SSC and railways exams. Practice these questions to accurately identify disease pathogens and symptoms.

Viral diseasesFoodborne illnessesDisease transmission methodsExtrinsic disease factorsCommon pathogens

Disease Causative Agents Questions

Multiple choice

Which disease is caused by a prion and affects the central nervous system of deer and elk?

  1. Chronic wasting disease

  2. Mad cow disease

  3. Scrapie

  4. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) caused by a prion and affects the central nervous system of deer, elk, and other cervids, leading to progressive neurological deterioration and eventually death.

Multiple choice

What is the primary route of transmission of tuberculosis in wildlife populations?

  1. Inhalation of aerosolized bacteria

  2. Ingestion of contaminated food or water

  3. Direct contact with infected animals

  4. Transplacental transmission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tuberculosis, caused by bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is primarily transmitted among wildlife populations through the inhalation of aerosolized bacteria expelled by infected animals during coughing, sneezing, or vocalizations.

Multiple choice

How does distemper virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes respiratory and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.

  3. It results in skin lesions and hair loss.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Distemper virus, a highly contagious virus, primarily affects carnivores and can cause a range of symptoms, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, leading to significant mortality in wildlife populations.

Multiple choice

Which disease is caused by a bacterium and affects the respiratory system of birds, leading to avian cholera?

  1. Pasteurella multocida

  2. Salmonella enterica

  3. Escherichia coli

  4. Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Avian cholera is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida and primarily affects waterfowl and other aquatic birds. It leads to respiratory distress, septicemia, and high mortality rates.

Multiple choice

How does canine distemper virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes respiratory and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.

  3. It results in skin lesions and hair loss.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Canine distemper virus, a highly contagious virus, primarily affects carnivores and can cause a range of symptoms, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, leading to significant mortality in wildlife populations.

Multiple choice

How does West Nile virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes encephalitis and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to respiratory distress and pneumonia.

  3. It results in skin lesions and rashes.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne virus, primarily affects birds and can cause encephalitis and neurological symptoms, including tremors, seizures, and paralysis, leading to significant mortality in bird populations.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of cardiovascular infection?

  1. Myocarditis

  2. Pericarditis

  3. Endocarditis

  4. Aortitis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Pericarditis is the most common type of cardiovascular infection, causing inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of aortitis?

  1. Syphilis

  2. Tuberculosis

  3. Salmonella

  4. Chlamydia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Syphilis is the most common cause of aortitis, an inflammation of the aorta.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a risk factor for infective endocarditis?

  1. Rheumatic heart disease

  2. Congenital heart disease

  3. Artificial heart valves

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and artificial heart valves are all risk factors for infective endocarditis.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission for the Ebola virus?

  1. Airborne

  2. Contact with bodily fluids

  3. Fecal-oral route

  4. Vector-borne
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Ebola virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, or vomit, of an infected person.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the virus that causes the flu?

  1. Influenza A virus

  2. Influenza B virus

  3. Influenza C virus

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Influenza is caused by three types of viruses: Influenza A, B, and C.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections?

  1. Staphylococcus aureus

  2. Streptococcus pyogenes

  3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

  4. Candida albicans
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections, such as abscesses, cellulitis, and impetigo.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of skin and soft tissue infection?

  1. Cellulitis

  2. Abscess

  3. Impetigo

  4. Erysipelas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cellulitis is the most common type of skin and soft tissue infection. It is a spreading infection of the skin and underlying tissues, often caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.

Multiple choice

What are the complications of cellulitis?

  1. Sepsis

  2. Necrotizing fasciitis

  3. Gangrene

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The complications of cellulitis include sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and gangrene.

Multiple choice

What are the complications of an abscess?

  1. Sepsis

  2. Necrotizing fasciitis

  3. Gangrene

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The complications of an abscess include sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and gangrene.