Covid and influenza

Question 1

natural reservoir animal for influenza A

Answer 1

wild birds/ducks

Question 2

which proteins are essential host cofactors for influenza

Answer 2

ANP32 (mutation in PB2subunit)

Question 3

how does avian influenza acquire new genes

Answer 3

antigenic shift with H1N1 and H2N2 mixing,

Question 4

how do avian influenza need to change to gain entry into human cells

Answer 4

need to change their haemaglutinin antigens to match human receptors. must mutate in haemaglutinin to stabilise it in acidic environments as droplets are acidic. need to acquire new polymerase for replication

Question 5

how do neuraminidase inihibibtors work

Answer 5

inhibiting the release of viral progeny /virions from infected cells.

Question 6

describe the influenza vaccine given to people at risk

Answer 6

Inactivated vaccine
• Split or subunit- HA rich
• Given to those at risk
• Short term strain 
specific immunity 
mediated by antibody 
to HA head

Question 7

describe the influenza vaccine in children

Answer 7

ive attenuated vaccine, 
Cold adapted virus 
limited to urt
• Given to children
• Broader more cross 
reactive immunity 
including cellular 
response

Question 8

what is sars cov 2

Answer 8

RNA genomes, single stranded 
positive sense RNA, very large 
genomes… 30kb!
• Enveloped virions. 100nm
• Nidovirales- a nested set of 
mRNAs from one large genome

Question 9

when is dex useful

Answer 9

in ITU where immuno effect is the main cause of damage to body at that time