Antivirals Flashcards
What poses a problem for antivirals?
Intracellular replication and use of host enzymes poses difficulties for selective toxicity
What leads to a virus’ cellular tropism and host range?
Binding to receptor
What are the 9 processes for virus replication?
Binding to specific receptor Endocytosis Uncoating Reverse transcription (retro only) Transport to nucleus Genome integration (lysogenic cycle only) Transcription and translation Assembly of new virions Release
How is viral replication detected by pattern recognition receptors?
Toll like receptors - conserved areas of single strand RNA
Rig like receptors
How does detection of PRRs trigger innate immune response?
Leads to production of restriction factors such as type 1 interferons, broadly acting, can induce antiviral state in host and neighbouring cells
How can the antiviral response be boosted?
Exogenous interferons or stimulation of PRRs- immunomodulation
Effective against numerous different viruses
Eg- peginterferon a2a for HCV or imiquimod for HPV
How do small molecule inhibitors or DAA work?
Production or action of Virally encoded proteins can be blocked
Inhibit viral replication
Generally highly virus specific
Restricted to one group of viruses
Host immunity still crucial for viral elimination
How can virus be diagnosed?
Clinical- characteristic rash
virus detection- viral nucelic acid amplification test NAAT, includes PCR, or antigen detection. Can be direct from lesions or blood/body fluid
Viral serology- identify host response to virus by detecting antibodies, usually in serum
What are the issues with nucelic acid tests and serology?
Nucelic acid test- sensitive for detecting viral mediated disease, non specific. Detecting a virus does not necessarily mean it is causing the disease or clinical syndrome
Serological response- may take days/weeks, to become detectable and canon it reliably distinguish primary infections from re infection
Moral:clinical correlation is essential
How many families of herpes viruses are there?
3- alpha, beta, gamma
What is in the alpha family?
Disease- HSV 1,2, VZV
Syndrome- herpes labialis, herpes genitalis, chicken pox shingles
Characteristics- rapid growth, latency in sensory ganglia
What is the beta family?
Disease- CMV, HHV 6,7
Clinical syndromes- mononucleosis retinitis colitis oesophagitis, 6th dresses encephalitis, ex anthem subitum
Characteristics- slow growth, restricted host range
What is in the gamma family?
Disease- EBV, hhv8
Clinical syndrome- infectious mononucleosis burkitts nasopharyngeal carcinoma , kaposi sarcoma, multicentric castlemans syndrome
Characteristics- oncogenic
What is herpes labialis?
Cold sores, HSV 1 nearly always
Spread by direct contact with lesions, asymptomatic shedding frequent
Primary infection- frequently asymptomatic, may experience pharyngitis, fever, mouth ulceration and lymphadenopathy
Recurrence- common, classically prodromal tingling followed by localised painful blisters that resolve over 5-7 days
What is herpes genitalis?
Classically HSV 2 but 50-80% in some settings
Primary infection- frequently asymptomatic, may experience painful ulceration, fever, lymphadenopathy and urianry retention (radiculitis)
Recurrence- localised ulceration, HSV2 more than 1
What is herpes simplex encephalitis?
Severe, life threatening infection of CNS
Virus spreads via neurons
Sporadic, no seasonal
SIGNS- fever, fits, funny behaviour
Disturbed conscious level, focal neurology
Distinct clincal syndrome from meningitis- headache, photophobia, meningism +/- fever
What is the rash like for chicken pox?
Generalised vesicular rash on trunk, rash and arms
Lesions are superficial and itchy
Lesions of all stages present at the same time
Shingles- localised dermatomal, do not cross mid line, lesions similar stage
What is varicella?
Caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus
Sporadic, spring summer peak
Highly infectious, resp droplets and shedding from lesions
Most infectious 1-2 days before rash onset
Infectious until all lesions crusted over
Adults more risk of severe disease and pneuminitis
Immunocompromised can experience disseminated infection
What is the pathogenesis of varicella?
Initial localised infection in resp tract, primary viraemia and seeding of reticuloendothelial organs
Secondary viraemia- dissemination to all tissues, skin and mucosal lesion- chicken pox
What is the pathogenisis of shingles?
Retrograde transport along neurons from skin permits entry to spinal cord where virus becomes latent
Reactivation and anterograde transport back to innervated skin lead to shingles
What is the antiviral treatment for HSV and VZV?
Virally encoded enzymes are key targets, thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase
Aciclovir- prototype drug
Valacyclovir- prodrug of acicylovir, high bioavailability
Famciclovir- prodrug of pencicolvir, high bioavailability
How is the antiviral treatment for HSV and VZV tolerated?
Oral doses well tolerated, bioavailability of ACV is 15-30% half life 3 hours, renally excreted
Poorly soluble in urine, crystallisation of drug in tubules can occur at high iv doses, and in renal failure