Question

St Anthony’s fire disease is caused by:
A. Bacteria
B. Fungus
C. Nematode
D. Polychaeta

Answer 1

Hint: St Anthony disease is caused by ergotamines which contaminate grains such as rye and wheat. This infection leads to constriction of blood vessels and contraction of uterus muscles.

Complete answer: St Anthony’s fire disease is also known as ergotism, ergotoxicosis and ergot poisoning. This disease is caused by ingestion of alkaloids produced by a fungus called Claviceps purpurea. Consumption of rye infected with this fungus causes ergotism. The main symptoms of ergotism are gangrenous and convulsive gangrenous symptoms lead to vasoconstriction, loss of sensation, oedema, death and loss of affected tissues and convulsive symptoms are diarrhoea, Itching, seizures with pain, headaches, nausea etc.
a) Bacterial diseases are caused by toxic secretions. Several types of bacterial diseases are cholera, leprosy, tuberculosis, plague, syphilis .or cocci, rod-shaped or bacillus, spiral or spirilla, comma or vibrio.
b) Nematode parasites mainly occur within the alimentary, circulatory and respiratory systems. Main infections caused by nematode are filariasis caused by the filarial worm, ascariasis caused by Ascaris worm and trichuriasis. In plants, nematodes can cause yellowing, stunted growth and affect roots, stems and leaves of the plant.
c) Polychaeta are annelids and some polychaetes are lungworm known as Arenicola marina and sandworm. Nereis is an example of a marine annelid.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The 'fire' element in the disease is in reference to the burning sensation sufferers of the disease often feel in the extremities of the body. Waves of outbreaks occurred throughout the period sickening millions and killing tens of thousands of people.