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Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch
Human Ehrlichiosis in the United States
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Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch Human Ehrlichiosis in the United States VRZB Home | DVRD Home | NCID Home |
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analytic sensitivity: the lowest level of a substance that can be detected by an assay. analytic specificity: how well an assay detects only a specific substance and does not detect closely related substances. babesiosis: tick-borne disease caused by infection with protozoa of the genus Babesia. Human infection causes malaria-like illness characterized by fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. culture-based: methods of detection that require growth of the organism in an incubated culture system. diagnostic sensitivity: the ability of a clinical test to correctly identify all persons having a disease. diagnostic specificity: the ability of a clinical test to correctly identify all persons not having a disease. endemic: geographic area where disease occurs on a consistent basis. epidemiology: the science concerned with the study of factors determining and influencing disease, injury, and other health-related events and their causes in a defined human population. etiology: the causes or origin of a disease or disorder; the study of the factors that cause disease and the method of their introduction to the host. granulocyte: leukocyte with a variable-shaped nucleus and a cytoplasm possessing enzyme-containing granules. There are three types: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. These cells are involved in the immune defense against pathogens, parasites, and allergens. incubation period: the interval of time between infection by a microorganism and the onset of the illness or the first symptoms of the illness. kinetics: rate of change of a specific factor. Lyme disease: tickborne disease caused by infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. lymphocyte: leukocyte with a large round nucleus and usually a small cytoplasm. Specialized types of lymphocytes have enlarged cytoplasms and produce antibodies. Other specialized lymphocytes are important in cellular immune responses. molecular: methods of detection that are based on identification and characterization of certain molecules and gene sequences of the pathogen's genetic makeup. monocyte: leukocyte with a large, usually kidney-shaped nucleus. Within tissues, monocytes develop into macrophages which ingest bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. platelet: small, irregularly-shaped bodies in the blood that contain granules. These cells are important components of the blood coagulation (clotting) system. serology: the branch of science dealing with the measurement and characterization of antibodies and other immunological substances in body fluids, particularly serum. zoonotic pathogens: microorganisms that cause disease in animals and can be transmitted to humans.
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VRZB Home | DVRD Home | NCID Home CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z This page last reviewed April 5, 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |