DVM Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health 3

Question 1

Which zoonotic parasite is responsible for causing visceral larva migrans in children and is most commonly associated with dogs?

Accepted Answer

Toxocara canis

Answer

Toxocara canis larvae cause visceral larva migrans when ingested by children, migrating through visceral organs including the liver, lungs, and eyes.

Question 2

Cutaneous larva migrans ('creeping eruption') in beach-going humans is most commonly caused by which organism?

Accepted Answer

Ancylostoma braziliense (cat/dog hookworm)

Answer

Ancylostoma braziliense larvae penetrate human skin but cannot complete their life cycle, migrating through the epidermis and causing the characteristic serpiginous track.

Question 3

A veterinarian suspects Cryptosporidium parvum infection in a calf with profuse watery diarrhea. Which group of humans is at HIGHEST risk for severe zoonotic disease from this pathogen?

Accepted Answer

Immunocompromised individuals (HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients)

Answer

Cryptosporidium parvum causes self-limiting illness in immunocompetent individuals but can be life-threatening and chronic in immunocompromised hosts.

Question 4

Echinococcus granulosus (cystic echinococcosis) is primarily maintained in which epidemiological cycle?

Accepted Answer

Dog (definitive) → sheep (intermediate) → dog

Answer

The classical sylvatic/pastoral cycle of E. granulosus involves dogs as definitive hosts passing tapeworm eggs to sheep as intermediate hosts, with humans as accidental dead-end hosts.

Question 5

The 'One Health' approach to zoonotic disease control emphasizes which core principle?

Accepted Answer

Integrated collaboration across human medicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental health

Answer

One Health recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected and requires collaborative, multisectoral approaches to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.

DVM - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Practice Test

DVM - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Practice Test

DVM Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health 3