Influenza Flashcards
Characteristics (4)
- ssRNA, enveloped
- Helical nucleocapsid
- 8 sement genome
- Viral family:
Orthomyxoviridae
Influenza A, B, C
Influenza Surface Antigens (2) spikes
H (Hemagglutinin):
Binds sialic acid/promotes viral ENTRY into host cell
N (Neuraminidase):
Promotes progeny VIRION RELEASE
Antigenic Drift
Minor changes based on random POINT mutations of H or N genes
One virus has certain H that binds to antibody, can block interaction of virus with that sialic acid receptor
Change in AA sequence via point mutation, change of tip of H protein, virus now free to interact with receptor
Frequency: human > equine/swine > avian
(Avian is causing more recent pandemics)
Causes local epidemics
Antigenic Shift
Reassortment of viral genome segments (H1, H2, H3, N)
Major change in H and sometimes N
“Recycling” of older viruses
“New” viruses to which the population has no immunity
Causes influenza A pandemics (all parts of the world, more deadly)
Often when you hear about a flu coming from an animal population to human hosts
Adaption of animal viruses (jumping the species barrier)
Ex. swine flu. Deaths in children because elder adults likely already been exposed to similar types of flu in their lives
What are Pandemics characterized by?
- Higher attack rate
- Different age distribution
- Occur outside window of seasonality
- Multiple waves
Transmission
Via large droplets
Via small particle aerosols person to person
Requires close contact; can only travel ~6 feet
Possible to transmit via small droplets, (from fomites) but less common
Clinical Symptoms
Fever 104-106, chills, headaches, myalgias (involve extremities and long back muscles), malaise (discomfort), anorexia
In children: calf muscle myalgia
Persist for 3 days (fever as well)
Respiratory symptoms can last much longer: Dry cough Pharyngeal pain Nasal congestion Discharge
Pulmonary Complications of Influenza
- Primary influenza viral pneumonia (produce cough, infiltrates)
- Pneumonia secondary to bacterial infection
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Haemophilus influenzae - Croup (children)
Harsh barking cough, hypoxia
More severe than parainfluenza - COPD exacerbation in adults
Non-pulmonary complications of influenza
- Myositis in children; may interfere with walking
- Cardiac: Toxic shock syndrome, likely secondary to change in colonization and replication of staph
- Guillain-Barre: only with influenza A; rare
- Transverse myelitis (inflammation of both sides of spinal cord)
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
- Reye syndrome (with use of Aspirin in children)
RT-PCR
For acute phase: virus detection in throat swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum
1-24 hours
High sensitivity and specificity
Highly recommended
Can differentiate between A and B
Multiplex PCR: looks for other respiratory illnesses too
Rapid Antigen Detection (EIA) (RIDTs)
For acute phase: virus detection in throat swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum
Immunologic or enzymatic techniques
10-20 minutes
Used in ERs and PCPs
Sensitivity around 62%, so lots of false negatives
High specificity
Some can test between A and B
Shell viral culture
48-72 hours
Moderately high sensitivity and specificity
Can confirm screening tests/be helpful in public health surveillance
Not useful in clinical management
Serologic tests (hemagglutinin, ELISA, complement-fixation, neutralization)
Variable time frame
Available only in reference labs
Not useful for timely clinical management
Recommended only for retrospective diagnosis, survelliance, or research
Acute vs. convalescent antibody titers (looking for standard 4 fold increase)
Rimantadine
Blocks viral uncoating by blocking the M2 proton channel (H+ flow acidified endosome)
Administered orally, treats influenza A
CNS effects, GI intolerance
Best if administered within 48 hours
Amantidine
Blocks viral uncoating by blocking the M2 proton channel (H+ flow acidified endosome)
Administered orally, treats influenza A
Best if administered within 48 hours
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Pro-drug, activated in the gut and liver
Inhibits functioning of influenza virus neuraminidase, preventing viral particle from being released affecting neighboring cells (virus shedding)
Administered PO, treats A and B
Well tolerated, some nausea and vomiting