Introduction to medical virology Flashcards
What is the best way to view a virus?
using an electron microscope
viruses are smaller than the wavelength of light so will not be detected
What is the basic structure of a virus?
nucleic acid - either DNA or RNA
surrounded by a protein coat
some viruses have a lipoprotein envelope
What are the two types of DNA a virus could have?
single stranded or double stranded
Baltimore Classification scheme
dsDNA - Class I
herpesvirus, poxvirus, adenovirus, papillomavirus
ssDNA - Class II
adeno-associated virus
What are the 6 stages in the lifecycle of a virus?
1) virus entry
2) uncoating - genome unpacked
3) replication of genome
4) protein synthesis
5) assembly
6) virus egress - budding or lysis
What is meant by the reservoir for a virus?
long-term host of a virus
eg poultry/birds - influenza
insects - yellow fever
What is the Baltimore classification scheme?
a scheme that classifies viruses according to their nucleic acid
What type of rash is seen in measles?
maculopapular
(red flat areas with raised bumps)
What type of virus is measles?
morbillivirus
What changes does the measles virus cause in cells?
multinucleated giant cells (syncytia)
altered cell shape
inclusion bodies
How is measles spread?
droplet transmission
respiratory
What is the latent period of measles?
10-14 days
What is a rare late complication for measles?
subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)
virus enters CNS
typically incubation of 7-10 years
