Biology ยท Science General

Disease Causative Agents

2,531 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

What is the causative agent of African swine fever, a devastating disease that affects pigs?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Fungus

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

African swine fever is caused by a virus called African swine fever virus (ASFV), which is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in pigs.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission for avian influenza, a highly pathogenic disease in poultry?

  1. Direct contact with infected birds

  2. Ingestion of contaminated feed or water

  3. Inhalation of airborne viral particles

  4. Transmission through fomites
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Avian influenza is primarily transmitted through the inhalation of airborne viral particles, making it highly contagious among poultry.

Multiple choice

What is the causative agent of Johne's disease, a chronic intestinal infection in cattle?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Fungus

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

Johne's disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, which affects the intestines of cattle, leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and decreased milk production.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common viral disease that causes respiratory symptoms and fever in horses?

  1. Equine influenza

  2. Equine herpesvirus-1

  3. Equine rhinopneumonitis

  4. Equine infectious anemia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that causes respiratory symptoms, including coughing, nasal discharge, and fever, in horses.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease?

  1. Direct contact with infected animals

  2. Ingestion of contaminated feed or water

  3. Inhalation of airborne prions

  4. Transmission through insect vectors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

BSE is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated feed or water containing prions, which are abnormal proteins that cause the disease.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a bacterial disease that causes lameness and joint inflammation in cattle?

  1. Foot-and-mouth disease

  2. Bovine viral diarrhea

  3. Bovine tuberculosis

  4. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that causes lameness and joint inflammation in cattle, as well as blisters on the feet and mouth.

Multiple choice

What is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, a respiratory disease in cattle?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Fungus

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

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, which affects the lungs of cattle, leading to respiratory distress and pneumonia.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a viral disease that causes reproductive problems and abortions in cattle?

  1. Bovine viral diarrhea

  2. Bovine herpesvirus-1

  3. Bovine leukemia virus

  4. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bovine viral diarrhea is a viral disease that causes reproductive problems, including abortions, in cattle, as well as respiratory and intestinal symptoms.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission for classical swine fever, a highly contagious viral disease in pigs?

  1. Direct contact with infected pigs

  2. Ingestion of contaminated feed or water

  3. Inhalation of airborne viral particles

  4. Transmission through fomites
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Classical swine fever is primarily transmitted through direct contact between infected and susceptible pigs, including contact with saliva, nasal secretions, or feces.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a bacterial disease that causes mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, in dairy cows?

  1. Staphylococcus aureus

  2. Streptococcus uberis

  3. Escherichia coli

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

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial cause of mastitis in dairy cows, leading to inflammation and infection of the mammary gland.

Multiple choice

What is the scientific name for the common cold?

  1. Rhinovirus

  2. Coronavirus

  3. Influenza virus

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

The scientific name for the common cold is Rhinovirus, which is a type of virus that causes respiratory infections.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common childhood illness characterized by fever, cough, and runny nose?

  1. Influenza

  2. Measles

  3. Mumps

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

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and body aches.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common cause of diarrhea in children?

  1. Rotavirus

  2. E. coli

  3. Salmonella

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

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children worldwide. It is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through contact with contaminated food, water, or surfaces.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common cause of seizures in children?

  1. Febrile seizures

  2. Epilepsy

  3. Meningitis

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

Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure in children. They are caused by a high fever and typically occur between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children?

  1. E. coli

  2. Klebsiella pneumoniae

  3. Proteus mirabilis

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

E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs in children. It is a type of bacteria that is found in the intestines and can enter the urinary tract through the urethra.