Block 11 - L1-2 Flashcards
Viruses are small, ___ (2 descriptors) parasites. They pass through ___ that retain bacteria.
Obligatory intracellular
Viruses are true parasites - what does this mean?
They contain no mitochondria, ribosomes, or other cellular organelles of their own. They depend entirely on the machinery of the host cell for their energy production and protein synthesis.
True or false - like bacteria, viruses grow on nutrient media
False - viruses do not grow in nutrient media.
All cells or microorganisms contain both DNA and RNA - the repository of the genetic material is the ___. Viruses have either DNA or RNA, but never both. What is the genetic material in a particular virus?
DNA; Nucleic acid present in the virus
How do viruses respond to antibiotics and why?
They are not sensitive to antibiotics because their metabolism is completely dependent on the host cell.
___ can be induced and inhibit viral replication. Some viruses can block this induction.
Interferon
Viruses vary tremendously in shape and size, but all viruses are composed of what two essential components?
Protein and nucleic acid (some viruses also contain lipid membranes surrounding the nucleic acid)
The standard viral classification system is by the ___.
Viral genetic information (genome)
Discuss some of the categorical features of the viral genome.
- RNA or DNA
- RNA positive or negative
- Single or double-stranded
- Non-segmented or segmented
- Molecular weight
What is a positive-sense single-strand of RNA?
Can be translated directly into protein (equivalent to mRNA)
What is a negative-sense single-strand of RNA?
Cannot be translated directly into protein; must first be transcribed into mRNA; viruses with this RNA must carry their own enzyme for transcription
What is the suffix for the family of a virus? The genus? The species?
Family: -viride (Paramyxoviridae)
Genus: -virus (Morbillivirus)
Species: vernacular (Measles)
List the 1 double-stranded (segmented) RNA viral families.
Rotavirus
List the 6 positive single-stranded RNA viruses.
- Picornavirus (nonenveloped)
- Norovirus
- Togavirus
- Flavivirus
- Coronarvirus
- Retrovirus
List the 6 negative single-stranded non-segmented RNA viruses.
- Paramyxovirus
- Measles
- Mumps
- RSV
- Rhabdovirus
- Rabies virus
List the 4 negative single-stranded segmented RNA viruses.
- Orthomyxovirus
- Influenza
- Arenavirus
- Bunyavirus
List the 2 single-stranded DNA viruses (circular and linear).
- Some bacterial viruses (circular)
2. Parvovirus (linear)
List the 5 double-stranded DNA viruses (circular and linear).
- Polyomavirus (circular)
- Papillomavirus (circular)
- Adenovirus (linear)
- Herpesvirus (linear)
- Poxvirus (linear)
What is the partly single-stranded DNA virus?
Hepatitis B virus (RNA intermediated in replication)
List the stages of viral replication and infection.
- Attachment (virus proteins bind to plasma membrane receptor)
- Penetration (taken up in coated pits to form vesicles)
- Uncoating (virus envelope fuses with endosome membrane at low pH)
- Transcription (viral mRNA synthesized)
- Translation (viral mRNA translated into proteins)
- Replication (specific for each type of genome)
- Assembly
- Release (enveloped viruses bud through the cell membrane)
What happens in the innate immune response to viruses?
Interferon synthesis is induced by viral infection. It induces anti-viral states (new protein production) in neighboring, uninfected cells.
What are the ultimate effects of interferon?
Inhibition of protein synthesis and viral replication
Via what two pathways does interferon inhibit protein synthesis?
- Production of 2-5A synthetase, which activates RNAase L to destroy mRNA
- Production and activation of a protein kinase that phosphorylates eIF2 (initiation factor required for protein synthesis) leads to inhibition of translation
Detection of ___ specific to the virus during the acute stage of illness is frequently used in diagnosis. Detection of ___ specific to the virus is a good indicator of previous exposure to the virus.
IgM; IgG
In addition to antibodies, what is another important part of the adaptive immune response to viruses?
Killer T cells (cell-mediated immunity is very important in the control of latent viral infections)
___ block activation or action of Type I interferons. Other viral proteins, termed ___ and ___, block host cytokines that promote the adaptive response.
Viral interferon antagonists; virokines; viroceptors
What are some of the pathogens included in the family, picornaviridae?
- Enteroviruses (poliovirus, enteroviruses, hepatitis A virus, coxsackie A and B viruses, echoviruses)
- Rhinoviruses
What are some of the unique properties of poliovirus?
Icosahedral capsid enclosing a single-strand positive RNA genome
3 serotypes
Replicates in the cytoplasm, genome acts as mRNA
Cytolytic
Resistant to pH 3.0-9.0, mild sewage treatment, temperature
What is the reservoir of poliovirus?
Humans (only)
What is the transmission pattern of poliovirus?
Fecal-oral
What is the temporal pattern of poliovirus?
Summer-fall in temperate areas; no pattern in tropics
Describe the communicability and incubation period of poliovirus.
Communicability - 7-10 days before onset, virus present in the stool for 3-6 weeks
Incubation period - 6-20 days (ranges from 3-35)
Describe the pathogenesis of poliovirus.
Invades via the intestinal mucosa and multiples/infects the underlying lymphatic tissue; it is also excreted in the feces. In the absence of Ab, it spreads by viremia to cells of a receptor-bearing target tissue (anterior horn cells).
Note - viral pathology is usually responsible for disease symptoms (not immune response).
What are the four possible outcomes of poliovirus infection?
- Asymptomatic (90-95% - results if limited to the oropharynx and the gut)
- Abortive poliomyelitis (4-8% - minor illness, no CNS involvement, non-specific, fever, headache, malaise, sore throat, vomiting; complete recovery)
- Non-paralytic poliomyelitis or aseptic meningitis (1-2% - back pain, muscles spasm + minor illness symptoms)
- Paralytic poliomyelitis (0.1-2% - most severe outcome, spinal paralysis of 1+ limbs, bulbar paralysis may involve a combination of cranial nerves and even the medullary respiratory center; usually asymmetric, sensory intact)
Poliovirus is primarily an ___ virus which occasionally invades the ___.
Enteric; CNS
List the ways poliovirus infection is detected and what is used currently in modern medicine.
Virus isolation from throat swabs
Isolation from multiple fecal samples
Serology
Now - RT-PCR and sequencing
What are the two types of poliovirus vaccines? Compare them.
- Salk virus - inactivated poliovirus (all three serotypes); administered intramuscularly, little to no duodenal IgA generated
- Sabin vaccine - live, attenuated vaccine (all three serotypes); administered orally, induces good duodenal IgA response
What are the AE of oral poliovirus vaccine?
Paralytic poliomyelitis (more likely in immunodeficient persons, no procedure available for identifying persons at risk of paralytic disease) Death from paralytic disease
What is the current recommendation for vaccination against polio?
3 dose regiment - IPV (first vaccination), IPV (first boost), IPV (second boost)
The mechanism of action of interferon involves:
A. Induction of enzymes to degrade mRNA and inhibit protein synthesis
B. Upregulation of the immune response to viral antigens
C. Stimulation of the cycle to cause cells to divide before they are infected
D. Shutdown of splicing activity in the virus infected cells
E. Killing of virus infected cells by NK cells
A - induction of enzymes to degrade mRNA and inhibit protein synthesis
What are two potential problems with OPV?
- VAPP (vaccinee and household contacts are at risk)
2. Shedding of revertant viruses (revertants in fecal material may contaminate local water supply)