Human Health and Disease Test - 8

Interferons represent a group of cytokines that are able to induce resistance to virus infections in treated cells. Most vertebrates possess three types (or families) of IFNs, based on similarities in gene and protein sequences and structures, receptor utilization, and biological functions, which are shared among the members of each IFN type but are distinct between the three IFN types.
They are type of cytokine barriers.

Wuchereria bancrofti is a human parasitic roundworm that is the major cause of lymphatic filariasis. These filarial worms are spread by a variety of mosquito vector species.

HIV infects white blood cells in the body's immune system called T-helper cells (or CD4 cells). The virus attaches itself to the T-helper cell; it then fuses with it, takes control of its DNA, replicates itself and releases more HIV into the blood. In this way HIV weakens the body's natural defences and over time severely damages the immune system.

Sarcoma is a cancer that arises from uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of mesodermal origins, such as connective tissue, bone, cartilage, fat or muscle.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by the worms(helminths) Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms occupy the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes. In chronic cases, these worms lead to the syndrome of elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling. It is characterised by oedema, hypertrophy, and fibrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels. It may affect the genitalia.

The intermediate host and vector of African trypanosomes are species of the tse-tse fly (Glossina spp.). Tse-tse flies become infected when taking a blood meal containing trypomastigotes, from an infected human.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is caused by Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. Hard ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera) are the reservoir of KFD virus and once infected, remain so for life. Rodents, shrews and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by an infected tick. KFDV can cause epizootics with high fatality in primates.

HER-2/neu activation in breast cancer is based on gene amplification and is an important prognostic indicator.

This fungus is distinguished by its bioluminescent characteristic. Ingestion of even small amounts of this highly toxic fungus can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting and cramps.

Marburg virus or simply Marburg is the common name for the genus of viruses Marburgvirus, which contains one species, Lake Victoria Marburgvirus. The virus causes the disease Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever (MHF), also referred to as Marburg Virus Disease, and previously also known as green monkey disease due to its primate origin.