Basic Concepts of Current and Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Author: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Amanda Reed, M.A.E., MLS(ASCP)CM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

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Objectives

  • Define the term zoonoses and the estimated incidence of zoonotic diseases.
  • Identify several examples of zoonoses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
  • Describe the concept of the "One Health" approach to dealing with zoonotic diseases.
  • Describe factors or drivers of zoonotic transmission.
  • Identify wild and domesticated animals that are involved in zoonotic disease origination or transmission.
  • Correlate the various approaches to diagnosing zoonoses, and describe some pitfalls in diagnosis.
  • Recognize different global, national, and regional agencies responsible for the surveillance of zoonotic diseases.

Course Outline

  • Introduction to Zoonoses
    • Definition of Zoonoses
    • Incidence of Zoonotic Diseases
    • Classification of Zoonoses
    • An example of a zoonotic disease that can typically be transmitted from human to animal is:
    • Which statement is true about the incidence of zoonotic diseases?
  • The Importance of Zoonotic Diseases
    • The "One Health" Approach
    • Neglected Zoonotic Diseases
    • Understanding the Pathogenesis and Virulence of Zoonotic Diseases
    • Why Are Zoonotic Diseases So Important?
    • The term neglected zoonoses refers to diseases that:
    • Which phrase does not refer to the term "pathogenesis"?
  • Factors in Disease Transmission and Drivers of Emerging Zoonoses
    • Introduction to Factors in Disease Transmission
    • Environmental Factors
    • Human Population Growth
    • Use of Animals in Laboratory Research and Other Risky Research Activities
    • Transport of Animals
    • Uncultivatable Microorganisms and Chronic Diseases
    • An increased incidence of Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia spp., has been attributed to:
    • All of the following are outcomes of growth in population that may play a role in the increase or emergence of zoonotic diseases except:
  • Selected Zoonotic Diseases
    • Selected Zoonotic Diseases by Source of Infection
    • Farm Animals
    • Companion Animals (e.g., Dogs, Cats, Birds)
    • Mammals
    • Fish and Other Aquatic Animals
    • Insects
    • True or False: Most zoonotic diseases from farm animals are restricted to farm workers.
    • One of the symptoms of cat scratch fever is:
  • Diagnosing Zoonotic Diseases
    • Approach to Diagnosis
    • Laboratory Testing for Zoonoses
    • Examples of Specific Diagnostic Techniques
    • Pitfalls in Diagnoses and Diagnostic Testing
    • True or False: Microscopy is rarely used in testing for zoonotic diseases.
  • Surveillance of Zoonotic Diseases
    • The Importance of Proper Surveillance
    • Pieces of the Surveillance Puzzle
    • Existing Surveillance Agencies
    • US Government Accountability Office Recommendations 2023
    • Emerging and Re-emerging Zoonotic Diseases and Recommendations
    • The US Government Accountability Office has put forth recommendations for collaboration among all of the following agencies except:
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is intended for medical laboratory scientists, technicians, and those working in a microbiology lab. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and any others interested in gaining a basic knowledge of zoonotic diseases.
Author Information: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP) is a Senior Lecturer emerita of Biological Sciences at St. Joseph's University (formerly University of the Sciences) where she taught hematology, clinical immunology, microbiology, parasitology, and other related courses, as well as directed the MLS program for over 30 years. She also taught courses in global environmental sustainability and animal studies. She is currently an adjunct instructor in hematology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia PA. She holds a Master's Degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration.
Reviewer Information: Amanda Reed, M.A.E., MLS(ASCP)CM is a Program Director and faculty member of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Saint Louis University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University. After teaching a variety of high school science courses ranging from freshman biology to environmental science to basic chemistry and conceptual physics, she decided to pursue a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Saint Louis University. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science and worked in the Microbiology Lab at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She left the hospital in 2012 to combine her love of teaching and laboratory. Her interests center around the integration of classroom technology and student laboratory experiences in the field of medical laboratory science. 
Course Description: Since the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the question as to whether its origin is a bat, many people have shown renewed interest in diseases of zoonotic origin.  This course is an overview of some aspects of zoonotic diseases with which laboratorians and others may not be familiar such as numbers and types of zoonotic diseases, neglected zoonoses, and especially the factors that contribute to the recent increase in disease transmission. We will also review a few more familiar topics such as diagnostic techniques and surveillance.