Lec 14: Viral skin infections (GIAM)

Question 1

Human alphaherpesviruses

Answer 1

cause vesicular lesions that affect skin and mucous membranes, have short replicative cycles, and can be latent in sensory ganglia/neurons.

Question 2

HSV-1 Disease forms

Answer 2

labial lesions (cold sores), fever blisters, keratitis, encephalitis

Question 3

HSV-2 disease forms

Answer 3

genital lesions, severe CNS disease in neonates (congenital herpes infection)

Question 4

VZV disease forms

Answer 4

chicken pox, shingles (reactivation, not primary infection)

Question 5

What are the two genetic programs used by alphaherpesviruses?

Answer 5

Lytic replication and Latency and Reactivation

Question 6

Symptoms Caused by Primary Herpes Infection

Answer 6

HSV-1: mild pharyngitis or stomatitis (systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise)
HSV-2: genital herpes
VZV: chicken pox

Question 7

Symptoms Caused by Secondary Herpes Infection

Answer 7

HSV-1- cold sores
HSV-2- recurrent genital herpes
VZV- shingles

Question 8

Herpes Thymidine Kinase Drugs

Answer 8

Ganciclovir

Acyclovir

Question 9

How do Thymidine Kinase Drugs work?

Answer 9

DNA chain terminator, activated by viral TK. When incorporated into viral DNA terminates the replication

Question 10

Herpes DNA Polymerase Drugs

Answer 10

Phosphonoacetic acid (PAA)
Phosphonoformate (Foscarnet)

Question 11

How do Herpes DNA polymerase drugs work?

Answer 11

binds to pyrophosphate binding sites of RNA or DNA polymerases, must be given continuously, treats CMV but has renal side effects

Question 12

What is the live attenuated vaccine for VZV?

Answer 12

Varivax

Question 13

When can herpes infection lead to serious disease or death?

Answer 13

Immunocompromised individuals (AIDS/HIV) and transplant recipients are most at risk. 
Neonatal herpes, encephalitis, and disseminated herpes are the most severe forms