Unit 9.3: Diseases of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Unit 9.3: Diseases of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Outline
Part 1: Anatomy of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Infections of the Circulatory System
Infections of the Lymphatic System
Part 2: Bacterial Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Part 3: Viral Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Part 4: Helminths Infections of the of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Learning Objectives
After reading the following, you should be able to:
- Describe the basic structure of the circulatory and lymphatic systems, including protective features and defenses.
- Describe any general features of infections of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
- Describe toxic shock syndrome, including its causative organism and possible complications.
- Describe gas gangrene, including its causative organism and possible complications.
- Describe infectious mononucleosis, including its causative organism and possible complications.
- Describe the features of a Hantavirus infection, including any possible complications.
- Describe the features of an HIV, including any possible complications.
- Describe lymphatic filariasis, including its most common causative organism and possible complications.
- For all the diseases in this section, describe mode of transmission, portal of entry, modes of detection (where discussed) and treatments (in general, e.g. antiviral medication, vaccine, etc)
Yellow fever was once common in the southeastern US, with annual outbreaks of more than 25,000 infections in New Orleans in the mid-1800s. In the early 20th century, efforts to eradicate the virus that causes yellow fever were successful thanks to vaccination programs and effective control (mainly through the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [DDT]) of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that serves as a vector. Today, the virus has been largely eradicated in North America.
Like yellow fever, many of the circulatory and lymphatic diseases discussed in this chapter are emerging or reemerging worldwide. Despite medical advances, diseases like malaria, Ebola, and others could become endemic in the US given the right circumstances.
Part 1: Anatomy of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
The circulatory and lymphatic systems are networks of vessels and a pump that transport blood and lymph, respectively, throughout the body. When these systems are infected with a microorganism, the network of vessels can facilitate the rapid dissemination of the microorganism to other regions of the body, sometimes with serious results. In this section, we will review some of the key anatomical features of the circulatory and lymphatic systems, as well as general signs and symptoms of infection.
The Circulatory System: The circulatory (or cardiovascular) system is a closed network of organs and vessels that moves blood around the body (Figure 9.26). The primary purposes of the circulatory system are to deliver nutrients, immune factors, and oxygen to tissues and to