Table of Contents
- Microbes affecting animals
- Microbes affecting plants
- Summary
- What’s Next?
In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Microorganisms’, we learnt about the Harmful Microbes for Humans. In this segment, let us get ourselves introduced to the Harmful microbes for animals and plants.
Which microbes infect animals?
Microbes target all the living organisms including humans, plants, and animals. Animals are targeted by several pathogens that cause lethal infections. The pathogens that infect animals are:
- Rabies virus – It is a virus which attacks dogs which becomes Rabid Dogs. It takes over the complete nervous system of the dog which results in the aggressive and wild behaviour along with a few other symptoms. It also affects other mammals like foxes and humans.
- Toxoplasma gondii – It is a protozoan which infects cats and rodents. It completes its life cycle by attacking them.
- Zombi fungi or Ophiocordyceps – These fungi attack smaller animals like ants. They attack tropical ants to complete their life cycle.
- Bacillus anthracis – It is a bacterium which causes the fatal Anthrax infection in several cattle.
Rabies virus and Bacillus anthracis
