Lecture 8 Flashcards
Viruses can cause damage to host tissues in several ways (3)
- Virus replication = Host cell lysis (Dmg to tissue -> Inflammation)
- Virus infection = altered host cell metabolism ( Host cell/tissue lose function)
- Viral proteins inserted into host cell membrane (host cell surface looks foreign = immune response to attack host cell)
Tissue dmg by virus = increased susceptibility to infection by other microbes
Viruses can infect almost every body system
- Different classes of viruses infect same organ/tissue
Nose/throat:
- Adenovirus
- Influenza
- Rhinovirus
Viruses don’t stay at site of first contact always
- Spread via lymphatic or blood system
- Can infect other sites if cell receptors present
-site where symptoms happen isn’t always where virus entered
Why is it important to identify the specific virus causing an infection?
3
- Rules out other microbes (different microbes = different therapeutic approaches)
- Optimizes patient management (will anti-viral work, supportive care needed)
- Infection Control (Patient with same infection stay together)
Diagnostic Challenges:
3
- Symptoms of Viral diseases mimic other diseases (viral vs bacterial sore throat)
- Viruses produce very similar symptoms, one can produce different symptoms
- Viruses cant be grown (need host, aka tissue culture which is hard)
Diagnostic Approaches:
3
- Assess the clinical picture
- Symptoms (Virus vs bacteria)(Virus A or B) (history suggest a virus?) - Collect an appropriate specimen
- (lung bacteria needs a lung specimen)
3.Lab testing (direct test = virus itself) vs Indirect test (body immune response to virus)
Viral diagnosis: Nucleic Acid Amplification tests (NAAT)
Direct test 1
- Looks at DNA/RNA
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tech
- Rapid (3-4h), sensitive
- Complex and expensive
- FULL SERVICE CLINICAL LABS IN HOSPITALS
Viral diagnosis: Rapid Antigen Tests
Direct test 2
Virus = antigen
Recognized by antibodies
Antibodies detect antigens
- minutes/ not sensitive
- Positive= Reliable, Negative = Retest with more sensitive test (PCR)
-Point of care tests or remote locations
Viral diagnosis: Serology test (Indirect)
-Not useful in early stages
- Look for ANTI-VIRUS ANTIBODIES in blood(plasma/serum)
- Presence indicates current infection or previous (persist months to years)(days-weeks for antibodies to appear after virus)
-Serum antibodies against a virus can be detected with “ELISA” test (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
Viruses that infect skin
- Rashes, fluid filled blisters or warts
- Direct contact (blister) or inhaling respiratory secretions (migrates to skin)
- Herpes, Varicella can migrate to CNS
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (Skin disease) HOW DOES IT SPREAD 3
- Large enveloped DNA virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2 closely related)
- Viral Gene can be reactivated by external stimuli (Stress, trauma, fever)*HSV reappears and causes lytic infection at original site
HSV infection for life switching between latent and lytic stages
- starts at mucosal surfaces or skin that has a opening(cut,break)
- Acquired after direct contact with active HSV - HSV enters epithelial cells -> replication = cell death (lytic infection)
- 100,000 viruses released from each cell
- turns into vesicular lesions (fluid blisters)
- Re-transmission - During infection, HSV can enter into nearby sensory nerves
- Viral DNA inserted into cell chromosome = LATENT infection
* Viral genes not expressed= no new virus = no dmg to cell = no symptoms of disease = hidden from immune system
Types of Herpes Infections 3
*Mostly caused by HSV-1 Very Common (65% adults have antibodies)
-Oral Herpes (mucosal lesions/cold sores)
- Herpes Keratitis (infection of eyes/corneas due to autoinoculation*
- > corneal scarring, blindness
- Herpetic Whitlow (fingers after contact with lesions)
- Occupational hazard of nurses, doctors, dentists
Genital Herpes
(mostly 2,but 1 is high in young adults)
*common sti (1/4 W, 1/5M)
- vesicular lesions in genital area (itching, tingling, burning)
- spread via sexual contact during recurrence of lesions
Central Nervous System Infections HSV
15% of encephalitis (brain inflammation) due to HSV
70% mortality if untreated
Adult encephalitis (mainly HSV-1) (CNS disease 1)
- reactivated latent infection-> HSV migrates up into brain
- elderly and immunocompromised
-altered mental state, decreased consciousness