Describe three main differences between rickettsia and chlamidya:
Rickettsia:
• Natural host arthropod
• Blood sucking and biting transmit organisms to vertebrates
• Infect animal through vector anthropoids that then act as a host
Chlamydia:
• Don’t have the same dependence on the host
• Arthropods are not involved in transmission
• Have a defined developmental cycle. Is ultimately re-organised to form smaller progeny elementary bodies
What is the main difference between the transmission of Rickettsia and Chlamidya?
• Rickettsia has an arthropod host whereas Chlamydia requires a direct host
What are the two major families of Rickettsia that exist and how do the clinical symptoms for both of them differ?
Rickettsiaceae:
- infect lymphoireticular cells that results in lymphoreticular damage (this is why they are referred to as spotted fever)
Anaplasmataceae:
- more of an affinity for red blood cells and hence generally has more of a potential to inflict anaemia
What are the major chylamydial diseases that are endemic to Australia?
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Chlamydia pneumoniae
- Chlamydia psittaci
- Chlamydia felis
- Chlamydia abortus
- Chlamydia pecorum
What are the major symptoms observed by avian chlamydiosis?
characterised by respiratory, digestive or systemic infection
What are the major symptoms observed by chlamydia pecorum?
- cause of polyarthritis in sheep and cows
- also linked to sporadic and small outbreaks of ovine abortions
