INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROJECT

Plagiarism is not acceptable and if you do you will receive a zero for the project.
Instructions: Select an infectious disease (caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminthes or
prions) and do research on it using the available literature. You must include recent information.
Example: recent outbreaks, new vaccines or treatments. You can obtain information from scientific
journals and /or use the information provided by www.cdc.gov, www.asm.org , www.nih.gov ,
www.who.org and www.pubmed.com, (other good sources of information are any Journal of
Bacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, and Virology).
You have to write a research paper on the infectious disease that you selected. In your paper, you have
to include all the topics listed below. The paper has to be done in a word document, it has to be at least
3 pages, single spaced, and 12 font size (there is not limit on the number of pages but ideally no more
than 6). Once completed you have to submit the document through blackboard under the “Infectious
Disease Project” link.
1. Name the disease and the microbial causal agent. Do not forget to pass the microorganisms’
name to Italics or underlined in any part of your report.
2. Characteristics of the microorganism (e.g., Gram reaction for bacteria, unicellular or
multicellular, type of nucleic acid for viruses, etc.)
3. History of the disease.
4. Epidemiology. Where is it more prevalent, how many cases per year, mode of transmission,
predisposing factors?
5. Pathogenesis:
a) Portal of Entry, Incubation period, sign and symptoms, etc.
b) Host defense mechanisms. How does the body fight the disease at the molecular or
cellular level? Does the body use the inflammatory response, enzymes, interferon,
antibodies, CMI, or other?
6. Diagnosis. What kind of Laboratory tests are used? (e.g., MRI, X-rays, CAT scan)
7. Prevention. Is there an effective vaccine available? if so, what type of vaccine? When is the
vaccine recommended to applied? How many types are applied?
8. Treatment. What types of antimicrobial drugs are used for treatment (e.g. antibiotics, antivirals,
deworming)?
9. References (Use at least three professional references, e.g., journals, science articles, peer
reviewed proceedings, books)

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