Discussion 14.1: Pathogens. Compare the pathogens discussed in the previous chapters with zoonotic pathogens. Comparing Zoonotic Pathogens with Vector-borne Pathogens Comparing Zoonotic Pathogens with Vector-borne Pathogens Discuss what the different characteristics are Describe how they cause disease Explain the transmission processes.

Comparing Zoonotic Pathogens with Vector-borne Pathogens

Zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens are among the few types of pathogens. Zoonotic is derived from the Greek term ‘zoonoses,’ meaning zoon for animal and noses for illness. Therefore, zoonotic pathogens are pathogens transmitted to humans through direct contact with animals (Ostfeld, 2009). Examples include Zoonotic Influenza, Plague, Rabies, Brucellosis, Psittacosis, and Avian Flu. Additionally, zoonotic pathogens can also be transmitted from humans to animals. For example, one of the greatest threats to non-human primates today is humans because these primates are highly vulnerable to human diseases like respiratory infections (Dunay et al., 2018). 

On the other hand, vector-borne pathogens are transmitted by vectors like arthropods carrying infectious pathogens. Such vectors include mosquitos, ticks, mites, and fleas (Cowan & Bunn, 2015). Examples of diseases caused by vectors include malaria, Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Notably, some vector-borne diseases can also be transmitted from animals to humans when humans are exposed to animals infected by vectors such as ticks. Furthermore, vector-borne diseases mostly, if not always, affect the hosts and not the vector itself.

Zoonotic pathogens are transmitted primarily through direct contact with animals like saliva, feces, blood, urine, or mucous, among other bodily fluids of an infected animal. Instances include touching and petting animals and scratches and bites (Ostfeld, 2009). In addition, transmission can also occur through indirect contact, like contact with the environment where animals stay, like food or water dishes for pets, aquarium tanks, and pet habitats. In contrast, vector-borne diseases can only be transmitted through bites, whereby insects are primarily parasites that feed on blood (Cowan & Bunn, 2015). Infected vectors like mosquitos and ticks bite into the skin upon contact with human skin. While feeding on blood, they transfer the pathogens into the host’s body, which helps the pathogens complete their life cycles. It is worth noting that vector-borne diseases can also be transmitted from animals to humans through direct contact. If a vector transmits a pathogen to an animal, and a human happens to, later on, feed on uncooked meat from that animal, the person will get infected.

References

Cowan, M. K., & Bunn, J. (2015). Microbiology fundamentals: a clinical approach. McGraw-Hill Education.

Dunay, E., Apakupakul, K., Leard, S., Palmer, J. L., & Deem, S. L. (2018). Pathogen transmission from humans to great apes is a growing threat to primate conservation. EcoHealth, 15(1), 148-162.

Ostfeld, R. S. (2009). Biodiversity loss and the rise of zoonotic pathogens. Clinical microbiology and infection, 15, 40-43.