Diseases and Treatment

‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

[amp_mcq option1=”Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes” option2=”Converting crop residues into packing material” option3=”Producing biodegradable plastics” option4=”Producing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A) Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.

The Wolbachia method involves introducing the naturally occurring bacteria *Wolbachia* into mosquito populations, particularly *Aedes aegypti*, which transmit diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. *Wolbachia* can prevent these viruses from replicating effectively inside the mosquito, thereby reducing the mosquito’s ability to transmit the disease to humans. It can also affect mosquito reproduction, potentially suppressing populations over time.

This method is being explored and implemented by organizations like the World Mosquito Program as a sustainable, long-term approach to control mosquito-borne viral diseases, as an alternative or complement to traditional methods like insecticides.

In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:

• The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
• Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
• COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.

– Statement 1 is incorrect: Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. It uses a viral vector platform (specifically, a modified chimpanzee adenovirus) to deliver the genetic material for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It is not an mRNA vaccine.
– Statement 2 is correct: Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia, is an adenoviral vector vaccine. It uses two different human adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5) for the two doses.
– Statement 3 is correct: COVAXIN, developed by Bharat Biotech in India, is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine. It uses the whole SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been chemically inactivated so it cannot replicate or cause disease, but can still trigger an immune response.

COVID-19 vaccines utilize various platforms, including mRNA (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna), viral vector (e.g., AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sputnik V, Johnson & Johnson), inactivated virus (e.g., COVAXIN, Sinovac, Sinopharm), and protein subunit. Understanding the platform is key to knowing how the vaccine works.

Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body ?

[amp_mcq option1=”They protect the body from environmental allergens.” option2=”They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.” option3=”They act as immunosuppressants in the body.” option4=”They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.” correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

B cells and T cells are lymphocytes, which are key components of the adaptive immune system. Their primary role is to recognize specific pathogens (like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) and mount a targeted immune response to eliminate them and prevent diseases.
B cells produce antibodies that neutralize pathogens or mark them for destruction. T cells directly kill infected cells (cytotoxic T cells), help other immune cells (helper T cells), or regulate the immune response (regulatory T cells).

While immune responses involving B and T cells can contribute to inflammation (which is part of healing but also causes pain), their main function is not to alleviate pain or inflammation directly (Option B). They are crucial for developing immunity, not immunosuppression (Option C), though certain subsets of T cells are regulatory. While they are involved in responses to allergens, their role in protecting against pathogens is their fundamental and primary function (Option A vs. D).

What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ?

1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

Statements 1 and 2 highlight important benefits of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs) in India.

Statement 1: Pneumococcal bacteria (*Streptococcus pneumoniae*) are a major cause of several serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), and sepsis (bloodstream infection), particularly in young children and the elderly. PCVs protect against infection by the most common and dangerous strains of these bacteria, thereby preventing these diseases. Correct.
Statement 2: By preventing pneumococcal infections, PCVs significantly reduce the incidence of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. This, in turn, reduces the need for antibiotic treatment for these conditions. Lowering the overall use of antibiotics helps to slow down the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a growing global health crisis. Correct.
Statement 3: While PCVs are generally safe and effective, no vaccine is completely free of side effects or the potential for allergic reactions. Common side effects are usually mild, such as fever, redness or swelling at the injection site, and irritability. Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible with any vaccine. Therefore, the statement that these vaccines have *no* side effects and cause *no* allergic reactions is incorrect.

PCVs are included in India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to protect children against pneumococcal diseases. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases and combating antimicrobial resistance.

Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing?

• 1. Chikungunya
• 2. Hepatitis B
• 3. HIV-AIDS

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

Hepatitis B and HIV-AIDS can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing if contaminated equipment is used.

Tattooing involves piercing the skin. If needles or other instruments used for tattooing are not properly sterilized and have been contaminated with infected blood, blood-borne viruses can be transmitted.
1. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, not through blood-to-blood contact via needles.
2. Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted through contaminated needles, syringes, or other sharp instruments.
3. HIV-AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is primarily transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Sharing contaminated needles is a known risk factor for HIV transmission.

Other infections that can potentially be transmitted through unsterile tattooing practices include Hepatitis C, tetanus, and various bacterial infections. Proper sterilization techniques and single-use needles are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases during tattooing.