Chapter 7 Flashcards
Define pathogenic.
able to cause disease
Define virulence.
relative measure of the harm done to the host
What are some of the factors that interact to determine the outcome of infection?
genetic features of the virus, the route and dose of inoculum, and a variety of host factors
What host factors can determine the outcome of infection?
age, gender, immune status, concomitant infections, nutritional background, and genetic background
When does an acute infection occur?
when a virus firstinfects a susceptible host
What is the duration of an acute infection?
it is generally of short duration
What is the nature of an acute infection?
the infection may be self-limiting, or controlled by innate or adaptive immune responses
What is a persistent infection?
the continuation of infection beyond the time when the immune system might be reasonable expected to clear the infection; the adaptive immune system has not cleared the virus effectively
What happens with virus particles or viral gene products during a persistent infection?
they continue to be produced for long periods of time; either continuous replication or establishment of latency
What happens to the viral genome during latency?
the viral genome is maintained but there is no productive replication
What kind of damage occurs in a persistent infection?
minimal tissue damage either because replication is restricted or replication causes minimal damage to the host cell
What is a persisent latent infection?
A reversible, non-productive infection in which only a few, if any, viral genes are expressed. Periodically, productive replication is reactivated
What is a persistent progressive infection?
Levels of virus replication, and clinical signs increase over time; also called a slow infection
What is a persistent chronic inifection?
Continual virus replication, often at a set level, with or without clinical signs of disease
What are the three main portals of entry for viruses?
mucosal surfaces, skin, and vertical transmission
What mucosal surfaces can viruses enter?
respiratory, digestive, urogenital, and conjunctival mucosal surfaces
What is vertical transmission?
transmission of viruses without passage through the environment
What are the three ways of verticle transmission mentioned in class?
in the germ line of fertilized eggs, across the placenta, and during passage through the birth canal
How do viruses enter skin?
they must enter through abrasions and penetrations
What are some consequences of vertical transmission?
abortion, congenital disease, and persistent infection
What is a localized infection?
Viruses replicate only at or near the body surface through which they entered.
Where does viral entry, replication, lesion formation, and shedding occur in localized infections?
all in the same organ