3: Herpesviruses Flashcards
What are five characteristics of herpesviruses?
Large DNA, multisystemic, neuronal latency, maybe oncogenic, highly species adapted
What are the three types of herpesviruses in mammals?
Alpha, beta, gamma
What happens if herpesvirus in the “wrong” host?
Highly host-specific and usually mild disease, but severe disease if the “wrong” host
How can herpesviruses modulate host inflammatory response?
Gene capture from the host
What type of genome do herpesviruses have?
dsDNA
How many genes do herpesviruses have?
70-100
What happens to the genome during replication and latency?
Circularises on replication, episomal during latency
What are the capsule and envelope?
Icosahedral capsule, proteinaceous capsule, a membrane envelope with several glycoproteins
How are herpesviruses spread?
Easily inactivated so must be close contact or sneezing/droplet
How common is vertical transmission in herpesviruses?
Rare, only in fish or HHV-6
What is the reservoir of herpesviruses?
Latently infected hosts
In differentiated cells, what is the only transcription that occurs?
The LAT mRNAs
Which cells is herpesvirus latency in?
Neurones, lymphocytes, myeloid precursors
What causes reactivation of latency?
Stress e.g. parturition, shipping, secondary infection
Where do infection and replication occur?
The epithelial layer
