Herpesviruses HSV 1, HSV 2 & VZV Flashcards
Describe the features of Herpesviruses
dsDNA linear, icosahedral, enveloped
Inactivated with: detergents, acid, drying (b/c they’re enveloped)
Herpesviruses have what kind of infections
Lytic and Latent
The _________ response in all herpes infections is critical to keeping the virus in check
CD8-CTL
All herpesviruses have _________ infections
systemic/generalized
The herpesvirus _______ class of antivirals stops viral DNA replication
acyclovir
Once activated by a viral thymidine kinase, it is used by the viral DNA polymerase and causes viral DNA chain termination
The acyclovir antivirals need to be activated by a protein found in an infected cell, a ___________
viral thymidine kinase
*The drugs should only act on cells that are infected by the virus
What is Valacyclovir? Where is it metabolized? Why is it used?
A prodrug of acyclovir.
It is metabolized in the body to acyclovir.
It is used because it has a longer 1/2 life in the body. You can take fewer pills a day
What is Famciclovir?
The oral prodrug of the topical ointment penciclovir and is often used interchangeable with acyclovir and valacyclovir
What is Ganciclovir?
Used for CMV infections. It also has a prodrug that has a longer 1/2 life in the body Valgancicloir. (However, ganciclovir has more side effects than acyclovir. When treating CMV, ganciclovir/valganciclovir is used because CMV does not activate acyclovir and penciclovir very well.)
Where does resistance to the acyclovir class of drugs usually occur?
In the viral thymidine kinase
When can drugs not phosphorylated by the viral kinase be used?
Can be used if resistance develops. They also prevent viral DNA replication
List the two types of HSV
HSV-1 and HSV-2
T/F: HSV-1 and HSV-2 are identical viruses
False - they are similar but not identical viruses (50% genetic identity between the two)
T/F: A person can only be infected with one HSV virus at a time
False - a person can be infected with both HSV-1 and HSV-2
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infect mucosal epithelial cells, cause lesions, and become latent in nerve ganglia, __________ for oral infections, and __________ for genital infections
trigeminal ganglia; sacral ganglia
What happens to the HSV viruses during latency?
The virus expresses a range of suppressive miRNA but no proteins (no protein to present in MHC I, thus, no killing by CTLs). These miRNA’s suppress viral lytic gene expression, called latency-associated transcripts, LAT
Remember, HSV and VZV will go up the nerve via _____________ and lay dormant latent
retrograde axial transport
*No virus is produced in latency, but the cell can reactivate and produce virus
Which HSV causes genital herpes? Oral herpes?
Either virus can cause genital herpes
The vast majority or oral herpes is caused by HSV-1
Why is the number of HSV-1 causing genital herpes increasing?
It used to be that almost everyone got HSV-1 in childhood before they became sexually active, and
oral HSV-1 protects against acquiring genital HSV-1. Now, fewer and fewer people are positive for HSV-1
before becoming sexually active, and oral sex spreads HSV-1 to the genital tract.
___________ the name for the first infection with oral HSV
Gingivostomatitis
What is the primary causative agent for Gingivostomatitis? How does it work?
HSV-1
It infects mucosal epithelium with lytic infections causing sores, then travels up to trigeminal ganglion where it remains latent.
List the symptoms of Gingivostomatitis
-Gingivitis and vesicles on the buccal mucosa, also on the tongue, hard palate, gingiva, lips and face
-Vesicles break down into ulcers and then crust over on lips and face but usually don’t scar
-It lasts 1-2 weeks and can be very painful. (Children may become dehydrated)
-There is often fever and enlarged lymph nodes
___________ is the term for any reactivation/recurrent oral herpes after the primary infection
Herpes labialis
(It is usually less severe, has fewer lesions, and appears in the same place as primary lesions)
What can trigger recurrence of herpes labialis
Stress
UV light
Menstruation
Dental procedures (such as oral surgery and root canals)
T/F: Generally, herpes labialis is less severe, with no fever or lymph node swelling
True