IMPACT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE ON HUMANS AND OUR ORIGINS Glossary Actin: A protein that forms the internal skeleton of animal cells, Autoimmunity: An organism’s aberrant immune response including red blood cells (RBCs). against its own healthy cells and tissues. Low-level autoimmunity is usually harmless and potentially beneficial, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A serious high-level autoimmunity can cause a broad range of type of respiratory failure characterized by rapid onset of deleterious illnesses known as autoimmune diseases (e.g. widespread fluid buildup in the lungs, which limits oxygen lupus). uptake and causes shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and bluish skin coloration. Bacteria: A type of prokaryotic microorganism. Unlike eukaryotes, bacterial cells do not contain a nucleus and rarely Adhesin: Proteins produced by bacteria and protozoa that harbour membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria were among mediate binding to molecules on host cells. the first life forms to evolve on Earth, and can be found in most every habitat, including soil, water, acidic hot springs, Malarial adhesins can be transferred to the surface of radioactive waste, the deep biosphere of the earth’s crust, and red blood cells (RBCs) causing them to become sticky in and on other living organisms as symbionts and parasites. and adhere to other RBCs and vessel walls, resulting in Bacteria can be beneficial, such as those comprising the gut microvascular inflammation. flora, orpathogenic and cause infectious disease. However, the vast majority of the bacteria in the body are rendered Adjuvant: A pharmacological or immunological agent that harmless by the protective effects of the immune system. modifies the effect of other agents. Adjuvants may be added to a vaccine to boost the immune response to produce more Bacteremia: The presence of bacteria in the blood, a normally antibodies and longer-lasting immunity, thus minimizing the sterile environment. dose of antigen needed. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): A type of vaginal inflammation Aedes Mosquitos: A genus of mosquito found on all continents characterized by the presence of exfoliated epithelial cells with except Antarctica. Species in this genus are vectors for attached bacteria, abnormally thin mucus secretions, a sharp numerous viral infections, including Dengue Fever, Yellow amine odor, vaginal pH, and overgrowth of the coccobacillus, Fever, West Nile Fever, Chikungunya, Eastern Equine Gardnerella vaginalis. BV seems to be part of the spectrum Encephalitis, and Zika virus. of normal for many women, and evidence from non-human primates seems to suggest that a diverse vaginal microbiome Allele: Alternative DNA sequence at the same locus (location is the ancestral state. The condition is nevertheless associated on the chromosome). with a wide range of reproductive health complications that Allosomes: Chromosomes that determine sex (XY, with endanger fertility and limit reproductive success. Y-Chromosome inherited paternally). B-cell (B lymphocyte): A type of white blood cell whose Alphavirus: A genus of RNA viruses that affect humans, function in the adaptive immune system is to secrete rodents, fish, birds, and larger animals such as horses, and antibodies. Additionally, B-cells present antigens and invertebrates. Transmission occurs via mosquitos. Diseases secrete cytokines. In mammals, B-cells mature in the bone caused by Alphaviruses are numerous and include Eastern marrow. B-cells express B cell receptors (BCRs) on their Equine Encephalitis and Chikungunya. cell membrane, which allow the B-cell to bind to a specific antigen, against which it will initiate an antibody response. Amino Acid: Organic compounds that are the building blocks These cells can create and almost infinite repertoire through of proteins and participate in a number of processes such as recombination and shuffling neurotransmitter transport and biosynthesis. Amino acids are encoded by the genome as different three letter codes. B-cell receptors (BCRs): Immunoglobulin molecules that form a receptor protein on the outer surface of B-cells. BCRs Anopheles Mosquitos: A genus of mosquito with ~460 allow the B-cell to bind to a specificantigen , against which species, ~100 of which can transmit malaria to humans. it will initiate an antibody response. BCRs also control B-cell activation by biochemical signaling and by physical acquisition Anthroponosis: A disease spread from humans to non-human of antigens from immune synapses with antigen-presenting animals. cells. Antibody: A Y-shaped glycoprotein produced by B-cells and Catarrh: A build-up of mucus in an airway or body cavity used by the immune system to neutralize pathogens such as caused by inflammation such as that associated with bacteria and viruses. The tips of the “Y” can recognize specific respiratory illnesses. antigens and lead to a successful immune response, while the bottom of the “y” regulates immune cell responses. Also Chikungunya: An infection caused by the Chikungunya known as immunoglobulin. virus, which is spread between people by Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitos. Symptoms include fever and Antigen: A molecule or molecular structure that can trigger joint pain. Chikungunya typically occurs in Africa and Asia, an immune response and can be specifically recognized by an but recent outbreaks have been reported in Europe and the antibody. Americas. Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV): A RNA virus that belongs to lost the function of the CMAH gene over 2 million years ago the genus Alphavirus that is primarily transmitted by two causing human cells to lack Neu5Gc and be coated with an species of Aedes mosquitoes, although the virus can also be excess of Neu5Ac. transmitted from mother to child during delivery. Before 2013, the virus was found only in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian Cytokines: A broad and loose category of small proteins and Pacific islands. In late 2013, outbreaks occurred for the first secreted by certain cells of the immune system and are time in the Americas in the Caribbean Islands. Chikungunya important in cell signaling and have an effect on other cells. (pronounced “chik-en-gun-ye”) comes from the Kimadonde verb meaning “bent over in pain” or “contorted.” Cytokine “Storm”: A severe immune reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly. Chromatin: A complex of DNA and proteins (histone and Signs and symptoms include high fever, inflammation, adaptor proteins) forming chromosomes. severe fatigue, and nausea. This may be severe or even life- threatening, leading to multiple organ failure. Chromosomes: Discrete strands of tightly packaged chromatin. Dengue Fever: A tropical disease caused by the Dengue virus and spread several species of female Aedes mosquitos, Clotting (Blood): The process by which blood changes from especially A. aegypti. Symptoms may include a high liquid to a gel, forming a clot. Also known as coagulation. fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. Severe infections may develop into Coccobacillus: A type of short rod-shaped Gram-negative Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome. bacteria. Some species of coccobacillus cause disease in humans. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: A severe form of Dengue Fever, which includes bleeding and blood platelet and blood plasma Communicable (Disease): An illnesses that is transmittable leakage. from an infected person or animal to another person or animal through direct contact or indirectly via contaminated food, Dengue Shock Syndrome: A severe form of Dengue Fever in water, or a vector. which dangerously low blood pressure occurs. Contagious (Disease): Infectious diseases that can be spread Dengue Virus: The cause of Dengue Fever. It is a mosquito- from organism to organism by direct or indirect contact. borne, single positive-stranded RNA virus of the genus, Contagious disease is a subset of communicable, infectious, Flavivirus. Origin: Africa and Asia. and transmissible. de Novo: A Latin adverb meaning “from the new.” A new Control Group: A group of individuals in a medical study who genetic variant that is the result of a mutation in a germ cell receive either no treatment or the standard treatment, which (egg or sperm) of one of the parents, or a variant that arises in is compared against a group who receive the treatment being the fertilized egg during embryogenesis. (See Novel) studied. Diploid: Organisms with two sets of each chromosome except Coronavirus: A member of the large, single-stranded RNA for XY sex chromosomes in male mammals. virus family (Coronaviridae) named for their ring, or corona, shape. They are also characterized by a fatty outer lining that DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule of inheritance, is covered with club-shaped spike proteins. Coronaviruses which consists of sequences of the four nucleotide bases: are known to infect many mammals (including us humans) Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. and birds. Different coronaviruses are responsible for causing MERS, SARS, and COVID-19. DNA Sequence: The specific order of thenucleotide bases Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): An infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE): A rare but serious and 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in December 2019 often fatal infection of Togavirus that causes encephalitis in Wuhan, China, and then spread globally, resulting in a (inflammation of the brain).