Current Challenges in Infectious Disease Flashcards
How are there different rabies P-protein isoforms?
Differing Kozak sequences around start codons that determine the likelihood of the ribosome initiating translation at that site. Results in 5 different P-proteins
Definition
denoting or relating to a cell-produced substance that has an effect on the cell by which it is secreted
Autocrine
Definition
A bacterium that is the most common cause of gas gangrene, a lethal infection of soft tissue, especially muscle
C. perfringens
Definition
Lyssavirus protein that encapsidates the genome; required for transcription and replication
Nucleoprotein (N)
Definition
Lyssavirus protein required for viral assembly and budding
Matrix (M)
These type of spores indicate what type of Clostridium?
C. tetani
Define
Dysbiosis
a term for a microbial imbalance or maladaptation on or inside the body, such as an impaired microbiota
What does DNA dependent RNA polymerase do?
Transcribes DNA into RNA
aka RNA polymerase
Definition
a toxin produced in or affecting the intestines, such as those causing food poisoning or cholera
Enterotoxic
Which rabies proteins help form the Negri Bodies?
N and P
Definition
family of proteins, which function as general cross-linkers between plasma membrane proteins and the actin cytoskeleton and are involved in the functional expression of membrane proteins at the cell surface
Ezrin
Define
Glycoprotein (G)
Lyssavirus protein found on the outside or particle, immunogenic; required for viral entry into host cell
Define
β-catenin
a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in the transduction of Wnt signals and in the intercellular adhesion by linking the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin
Define
Ovoid subterminal (OST) spores
The ovoid shaped spores that most Clostridium spp., including C. perfringens and C. botulinum have
What makes up the nucleocapsid of the Rabies virus?
The nucleocapsid is a Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) - complex composed of RNA and proteins
Define
Adherens junctions (AJ)
a cell junction whose cytoplasmic face is linked to the actin cytoskeleton
List the enterotoxic Clostridia
C. perfrigens
C. difficile
Definition
the outer surface layer of mature spores
Exosporium
Definition
tiny, self-organized three-dimensional tissue cultures that are derived from stem cells
Organoid
What form is the Rabies virus genetic material in?
Negative sense RNA
(-)ssRNA
How does Rabies virus travel from the bite site to the brain?
Retrograde axonal transport along the microtubules of neurons
Which species of Clostridia cause tetanus?
C. tetani
Which toxin is responsible for intestinal necrosis seen in C. perfringens?
β-toxin
What are the three broad strategies that viruses have to avoid IFN action?
- General inhibition of host gene expression
- Sequestration/masking of PAMPs
- Sequestration/modification of signally components
Define
RNA antigenome
The complementary strand of RNA from which the genome of a virus is constructed
Which Rabies genes are required for RNA synthesis?
N, P and L
List the neurotoxic Clostridia
C. tetani
C. botulinum
What are the basic characteristics of Clostridium?
Gram-positive rods
Obligate anaerobes
Form heat resistant endospores
Define
Dead-end host
a host from which infectious agents are not transmitted to other susceptible hosts
Define
Hydrophobia
extreme or irrational fear of water, especially as a symptom of rabies in humans
When is the tetanus toxin released?
Released when the bacteria die
How does Rabies virus enter cells?
Rabies virus enters by receptor-mediated endocytosis
What are the new C. difficile treatments under consideration?
- Probiotics
- Intravenous IgG antibodies (containing human anti-toxin IgG)
- Monoclonal antibodies for passive immunotherapy
- Passive polyclonal immunotherapy (cow colostrum; egg yolk antibodies)
- Faecal transplant therapy
Definition
a virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans, causing serious illness
Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)
What do you need to make a modified Rabies virus?
Rabies genome
N-protein
P-protein
L-protein
Describe the structure of the Rabies P-protein
Define
Clostridium
an anaerobic bacterium of a large genus that includes many pathogenic species, e.g. those causing tetanus, gas gangrene, botulism, and other forms of food poisoning
This posture is typical of which type of C. perfringens infection?
Type D
Which of the species of Clostridia cause botulism?
C. botulinum
Definition
A transmembrane protein that links plasma membranes of adjacent cells together in a Ca2+-dependent manner; aids in maintaining the rigidity of the cell layer
E-cadherin
What are Negri Bodies?
Membrane-less cytoplasmic inclusions caused by Rabies infection
Definition
The complementary strand of RNA from which the genome of a virus is constructed
RNA antigenome
Definition
a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals, transmissible through the saliva to humans and causing madness and convulsions
Rabies
Definition
a nucleic acid motif that functions as the translation initiation site in most mRNA (link) transcripts
Kozak sequence
Definition
a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming, motile bacterium with the ability to produce the neurotoxin botulinum
Clostridium botulinum
Definition
Lyssavirus protein required for replication and transcription; also known as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Large protein (L)
What is the order of Rabies virus genes?
N, P, M, G then L
Define
Clostridium tetani
the bacteria responsible for the often fatal disease tetanus
Which toxin is responsible for the histotoxic effects of C. perfringens?
α-toxin
Define
Encephalitis
inflammation of the brain, caused by infection or an allergic reaction
True or False:
Rabies viruses only need one method to disrupt the IFN pathway
False
Viruses use many ways to disrupt IFN pathway
What are the three main types of IFN?
Type I: IFNα and IFNβ - direct response to infection broad cellular expression and receptors
Type II: IFNγ - immune cells
Type III: IFNλ
Define
Negri bodies
eosinophilic, sharply outlined, pathognomonic inclusion bodies (2–10 μm in diameter) found in the cytoplasm of certain nerve cells containing the virus of rabies, especially in pyramidal cells within Ammon’s horn of the hippocampus
What makes up the three main components of the assembled Rabies virus?
- Nucleocaspid (RNA, N, P, L)
- M (at plasma membrane)
- G (glycosylated - sugar groups added)
What shape are Rabies viruses?
Helical
List the 4 different ways that the rabies P-protein inhibits IFN signalling
- P binds and prevents nuclear import of STAT1/2
- P traffics into nucleus and brings STATs out
- Nuclear P3 isoform binds STATs in nucleus and prevents bind to DNA
- P3 binds STATs and arrests them on microtubules
Definition
a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) and is responsible for gas gangrene and myonecrosis in infected tissues
α-toxin
What type of spores do most Clostridium spp. including C. sporogenes and C. botulinum produce?
Ovoid subterminal (OST) spores
Define
Mononegavirus infections
the taxonomic home of numerous related viruses. Members of the order that are commonly known are, for instance, Ebola virus, human respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus, mumps virus, Nipah virus, and rabies virus
What toxins do Type C C. perfrigens infections involve?
α and β toxins
Define
Sporulation
the formation of nearly dormant forms of bacteria
How many genes do Lyssaviruses encode? What are they?
5
N, P, M, G, L
What is the new name for the Clostrdium species?
Clostridioides
What does the α-toxin of Clostridia do?
Phospholipase
Disrupts host-cell plasma membranes
Extensive destruction of cells and tissues
Define
Anaerobic jars
an instrument used in the production of an anaerobic environment. This method of anaerobiosis as others is used to culture bacteria which die or fail to grow in presence of oxygen (anaerobes)
What happens to epithelial cell polarity in C. difficile infection?
Completely disrupted
True or False
Both botulism and tetanus can be prevented with a vaccine
False
Tetanus has a toxoid vaccine available but botulism has no vaccine available (antitoxin can be used)
Which Rabies protein binds to N-RNA and L (linking them together)?
P protein