Covid

Question 1

What is COVID-19?

Answer 1

A acute viral infection of respiratory tract

Question 2

What type of virus is coronavirus/Sars-CoV-2?

Answer 2

Coronaviridae

Question 3

Structure of coronavirus

Answer 3

Large, enveloped, pleomorphism particles with arrangement of spikes projecting from surface

Spike (S) glycoproteins surface antigen - for entry to cells

Question 4

What surface antigens does coronavirus have?

Answer 4

Spike (S) glycoprotein

Question 5

What do the spike glycoproteins surface antigens on coronavirus do?

Answer 5

Require for entry into cells

Question 6

How does coronavirus enter cells?

Answer 6

1- spike glycoproteins surface antigens bind to ACE2 transmembrane protein receptor
2- invagination of membrane
3- formation of endocytosis vesicle
4- release of virion into cytoplasm

Entry via receptors mediated endocytosis

Question 7

Transmission of coronavirus

Answer 7

Respiratory
e.g. coughing, sneezing, inhaling

• small article aerosols in air
• direct contact with larger particles or droplets
• indirect contact of viral particles on surfaces

Question 8

Presentation of covid-19

Answer 8

• fever
• cough
• dyspnoea
• fatigue
• myalgia

Question 9

Diagnosis of covid-19

Answer 9

Nasopharyngeal swab -
LFT - detect amount of virus
PCR - detects viral RNA

Question 10

Pharmacological treatment of covid

Answer 10

• dexamethasone to reduce inflammation in lungs
• remdesivir antiviral for hospitalised patients
• LMWH to reduce risk of thromboembolism
• monoclonal antibodies e..g tocilizumab

Question 11

What 3 things do patients requiring hospital admission for covid-19 often have?

Answer 11

• hypoxia
• lymphomaenia, eosinopaenia
• bilateral lower zone changes on CXR