Insect Vectors Of Human Pathogens: Quiz!

Mosquitoes can transmit malaria, a disease caused by protozoa in the genus Trypanosoma. They are also the main vectors of the viruses that cause yellow fever, West Nile fever, dengue, and other encephalitis viruses. This means that mosquitoes can carry and spread these diseases to humans and other animals through their bites.

Tsetse flies are known to transmit protozoan pathogens that cause African sleeping sickness, specifically Trypanosoma gambiense and T. rhodesiense. These pathogens are responsible for the disease and are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies. The other options mentioned in the question, such as Yersina pestis (bubonic plague), Rickettsia mooseri (murine typhus), Shigella dysentariae, Salmonella typhi, and Vibrio spp. (dysentary, typhoid fever, and cholera), and the viral agent that causes poliomyelitis, malaria, yellow fever, West Nile fever, dengue, and encephalitis viruses, are not specifically associated with tsetse flies as vectors.

Rat fleas can transmit Yersina pestis, the bacterial pathogen of bubonic plague. This means that these fleas can carry and spread the bacteria that causes bubonic plague, a deadly disease.

Human lice can transmit rickettsial pathogens that cause epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazeki) and trench fever (R. quintana). These pathogens are responsible for causing these two diseases in humans.

Assassin bugs, also known as kissing bugs, can transmit a protozoan pathogen called Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease in South and Central America. Chagas disease is a tropical parasitic disease that can be transmitted through the bug's bite or through contaminated food or drink. The disease can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including heart and digestive system damage. Therefore, the correct answer is the protozoan pathogen that causes Chagas disease.

Sand flies can transmit protozoan pathogens (Leishmania spp.) that cause Leishmaniasis in parts of Asia and North Africa. Additionally, they are the vectors of a bacterium (Bartonella bacilliformis) that causes Carrion's disease (oroyo fever) in South America.

House flies, blow flies and flesh flies can carry Shigella dysentariae, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio spp. which are responsible for causing dysentary, typhoid fever, and cholera. These flies have also been suspected as vectors for the viral agent that causes poliomyelitis. This means that they can transmit these pathogens to humans and potentially cause these diseases.

Rat fleas can transmit Rickettsia mooseri, the pathogen that causes murine typhus. This is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bites of infected fleas. The fleas become infected when they feed on rats that carry the bacteria. When the fleas bite humans, they can transmit the bacteria, leading to the development of murine typhus. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, and muscle aches. Therefore, the correct answer is Rickettsia mooseri that causes murine typhus.

Eye gnats can transmit the spirochaete pathogen Treponema pertenue, which causes yaws, a tropical infectious disease that affects the skin, bones, and joints. Additionally, these gnats can also spread conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye.

Horse flies and deer flies can transmit Francisella tularensis and Bacillus anthracis, which are the pathogens responsible for tularemia and anthrax, respectively.