Micro Final1 Flashcards
What was the first virus discovered?
Tobacco mosaic virus
What was the first animal virus isolated?
Foot and mouth disease virus, in 1898
What is a major structural categorization for viruses based on the outer layer of the virus?
Enveloped viruses (with a lipid bilayer) and non-enveloped viruses
Are GI viruses usually enveloped or non-enveloped?
Non-enveloped
Is HIV an enveloped or a non-enveloped virus?
Enveloped
How many genomic groups of viruses are there? How many are based on DNA? How many are based on RNA?
Six; two DNA; four RNA
Viral genomic groups IV and V are both based on single-stranded RNA. What is the distinction between them?
Polarity: whether the genome as it enters the cell is the right orientation for translation in the protein, or needs to create an antisense RNA template that will be translated
How is a virus grown in a laboratory if they are obligate parasites?
On a host cell culture
Can you directly visualize viruses on an agar plate?
No, you can only see signs of virus infection, like cytopathic effect, inclusion bodies or hemadsorption
How are viruses being visualized in this assay?
By the number of plaques of killed cells
What is the eclipse period of viral growth? What is the latent period?
Eclipse: when you have a low, undetectable level of the virus, because it is within cells but not yet replicating; Latent: when there is a detectable level of virus but it has not yet reached the level of the infectious dose
Routes of viral infection include: […], respiratory, transcutaneous, sexual, and contact with infectious bodily fluid.
Routes of viral infection include: oral/fecal, respiratory, transcutaneous, sexual, and contact with infectious bodily fluid.
Routes of viral infection include: oral/fecal, respiratory, […], sexual, and contact with infectious bodily fluid.
Routes of viral infection include: oral/fecal, respiratory, transcutaneous, sexual, and contact with infectious bodily fluid.
Routes of viral infection include: oral/fecal, respiratory, transcutaneous, sexual, and contact with infectious […].
Routes of viral infection include: oral/fecal, respiratory, transcutaneous, sexual, and contact with infectious bodily fluid.
What percent of human cancers are thought to have a viral etiology?
15%
What general disease have HTLV-1, HBV, HCV, HPV, HHV-8, and EBV all been linked to?
Cancer
Historically, what has been the most effective way of combatting viral illness?
Vaccines
What effect is used here to assess the presence of viruses on the right?
The cytopathic effect: damaged cells are visible on the right
What shows a positive result in a hemagglutination test?
The virus spreads over the surface of a drop of hematies, and spreads it over a well
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes […] viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the […] virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, […] virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, […], and Human Herpes viruses.
Herpes viruses include: the Herpes Simplex viruses, the Varicella Zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpes viruses.
What is the genomic content and structure of herpes viruses?
Large, enveloped dsDNA viruses (group I)
What timecourse of infection is caused by herpes viruses?
Chronic and latent infection
Where is the Herpes virus assembled during replication?
In the ER and Golgi
What is the mechanism of acyclovir? What class of viruses does it inhibit?
First it is phosphorylated by a viral thymidine kinase, and then when it is incorporated into the replicating DNA chain, replication is terminated
How do HSV I and II enter the body?
Abraded skin or mucosa
Where do HSV I and II lie latent after primary infection?
Sensory ganglia
What histological diagnosis is possible from this slide?
This is a giant cell with intranuclear inclusions (Tzanck test), indicating a herpesvirus infection
What is the prevalence of HSV-1 in adults? What is the prevalence of HSV-2?
50-70% for HSV-1; 20-50% for HSV-2
What is the appearance of herpetic lesions?
Crops of painful small blisters and ulcers in skin and mucous membranes
What is a herpetic infection of the finger called?
Herpetic Whitlow
What viral infection depicted here can cause painful swallowing?
HSV esophagitis
Besides the skin and mucous membranes, what are other common targets for HSV infection?
Conjunctiva, encephalitis, esophagus
What are presenting symptoms for a neonatal CNS infection by HSV?
Seizures, lethargy, irritability, fever with an onset at 14-21 days
Can HSV be cultured from CSF for a CNS infection? What lab technique is most appropriate for finding HSV in CSF?
No; PCR is more appropriate
Besides culturing and Tzanck smear, what other lab findings can be used to diagnose HSV?
Direct fluorescence antibodies of skin lesions and PCR of CSF
Is acyclovir available in IV form? What is the typical oral formulation?
Yes, IV acyclovir is used for serious disease; valacyclovir is the oral formulation, a prodrug that is better absorbed than acyclovir
How is resistance to acyclovir generated? Are they seen in typical patients?
Mutations in the viral thymidine kinase, or the DNA polymerase; no, resistance is mostly seen in immunocompromised patients
What can be used to treat acyclovir resistant HSV? What are its side effects?
Foscarnet, an inorganic pyrophosphate that inhibits the viral DNA polymerase; nephrotoxicity and calcium/phosphate dysregulation
What is Foscarnet used to treat? Does it have an oral formulation?
Acyclovir resistant HSV; no
What can be used to prevent HSV transmission from a pregnant woman with genital lesions to her infant?
C-section
In what cases might long term acyclovir be administered?
Pregnant women at risk of transmitting to their infant; transplant recipients; AIDS patients
What skin condition is seen here? What virus causes it?
Chicken pox; varicella zoster virus
What is the most contagious mode of transmission for varicella zoster virus?
Aerosolization from the respiratory tract
What is the time period of chicken pox infection? Which period is the contagious period?
2-3 weeks; 9-21 days
Where does the varicella zoster virus establish latency after an episode of chicken pox? If it reactivates, what does it cause?
Dorsal root ganglia; shingles
What percentage of shingles patients can recall that they were exposed to the virus in the past (e.g., had chickenpox)?
>90%
Can shingles be spread by respiratory droplets?
No, only during an initial exposure via the respiratory tract will the varicella virus be contagious via aerosolization, during shingles the latent virus in the dorsal root ganglia is reactivated
Do adults have more or less symptomatic reactions to varicella infection?
More symptomatic
What is a significant adverse neurological outcome for herpes zoster (shingles)?
Post-herpetic neuralgia, where pain or lack of sensitivity manifests in a nerve affected by the virus
How is shingles treated?
Acyclovir and valacyclovir, at higher doses than for HSV
Parainfluenza, coronavirus, and adenovirus are all viruses that affect which system?
Respiratory
What family of viruses do parainfluza viruses belong to?
Paramyxoviridae
Which family of viruses do respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus belong to?
Pneumoviruses
What is the genomic makeup of a paramyxovirus?
Negative-sense, single stranded RNA
What is transcribed from the negative sense RNA paramyxovirus genome?
Individual mRNAs and a full length positive-sense RNA template
What is the “barking cough” a sign of? What is the typical infectious agent?
Croup, or laryngotracheitis; parainfluenza virus
Which HPIV viruses cause croup?
HPIV-1, -2, and -3
What is the steeple sign?
An anatomical hallmark of croup, which is the narrowing of the trachea in the subglottic region
What is the course of treatment for parainfluenza virus?
Usually supportive: IV/IM/oral dexamethasone, and nebulized racemic epinephrine
What is the clinical syndrome caused by RSV virus?
Bronchiolitis or pneumonia
Does the immune response to RSV appear to play a role in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchiolitis?
Yes
When are the usual seasons for RSV virus infection in temperate climates?
Winter and early spring
What treatment can be used for severe infections by RSV? What is its mechanism?
Ribavarin; nucleoside analog that inhibits nucleic acid synthesis
What antibody is used to prevent RSV infection in high risk infants? How often is it adminstered and via which route?
Palivizumab; monthly, IM
What virus is the 2nd leading cause of bronchiolitis after RSV? What percentage of common colds in children is caused by it?
Human metapneumovirus; 15%
Can human metapneumovirus and RSV be transmitted by close contact? In a nosocomial setting?
Yes to both
How is human metapneumovirus treated?
Supportive
What is the structure and genomic makeup of coronavirus?
Enveloped, single stranded, and positive sense RNA virus
Does paramyxovirus have a lipid envelope?
Yes
Where does the coronavirus assemble?
The rough endoplasmic reticulum
Besides the common cold, what can coronavirus manifest as clinically?
Gastroenteritis and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
What are the hallmarks of SARS? What is the mortality rate?
Fever, pneumonia/respiratory distress, diarrhea, and leukopenia; 10% out of 8000 infected individuals
What is the reservoir for coronavirus?
Common in many animals
How can coronavirus be diagnosed? When would these tests be needed?
PCR on respiratory secretions or stool, or EM; if SARS caused by coronavirus is suspected
Is there a proven effective antiviral therapy for coronavirus?
No
Are DNA viruses generally more or less complex than RNA viruses?
DNA viruses are more complex
What is the structure and genomic makeup of adenovirus?
Non-enveloped icosadeltahedral virus with linear, dsDNA genome
What membrane protein does adenovirus co-opt to enter the cell?
Integrin
Is the DNA genome of adenovirus delivered to the nucleus?
Yes
Does adenovirus replication lead to cell lysis?
Yes
What sort of patients can be suspected for adenovirus?
Young (<10yo) patients with pink-eye, sore throat, or fever and generalized rash
What patient populations are likely to have severe infections of adenovirus manifest (e.g. pneumonia, meningitis, and encephalitis)?
Young infants and the immunocompromised
What virus can cause all of these syndromes?
– URI/LRI
– Pharyngo-conjunctivitis
– Gastroenteritis
– Hemorrhagic cystitis
Adenovirus
How is adenovirus spread?
Aerosol, close contact, or fecal-oral
What is the typical first site of infection for adenovirus spread by aerosol?
Pharyngeal infection
Which cell type is infected by adenovirus in the respiratory and GI tract?
Mucoepithelial cells
Can adenovirus spread to visceral organs? In which tissue can it persist longest?
Yes; lymphoid tissue
What drug can be used to treat severe cases of adenovirus, e.g. in the immunocompromised? What is the mechanism? What toxicity results?
Cidofovir; it is a cytosine analog that blocks viral DNA synthesis; nephrotoxicity
What is the most frequent cause of the common cold?
Rhinovirus
What is the major vector for transmission of rhinovirus?
Hands
Does measles infect immune cells, epithelial cells, or both?
Both
What virus causes measles and from what family? What is its genomic structure? Is it enveloped?
Morbillivirus, from paramyxovirus family; negative strand nonsegmented RNA; enveloped
What are the three proteins in the envelop of the measles virus?
Hemagglutinin (H), fusion (F) and matrix (M)
Which protein on morbillivirus mediates fusion between the viral envelope and the host cell?
F protein
Which two proteins in morbillivirus drive RNA-dependent RNA polymerization? Where does this occur in the host cell?
L and P; in the cytoplasm
What receptor is used by morbillivirus to target epithelial cells?
Nectin 4, an epithelial cell receptor
What is the route of spread of measles?
Respiratory droplets
What is the latent period for measles? What symptoms characterize the prodrome?
10-14 days; 2-3 day prodrome of fever, coryza (cold symptoms), cough, and conjunctivitis
What visible sign of measles infection correlates with the initiation of viral clearance?
Maculopapular rash
What are the first cell types to be invaded by morbillivirus?
Macrophages and dendritic cells of the respiratory tract
What happens when the morbillivirus replicates in lymphoid tissue?
Formation of multinucleated giant cells as the envelope fusion proteins exert effects on the cell membrane, or “syncytium”
What initiates viremia from a measles infection?
Amplication of the virus in lymph nodes
Which cell in the blood is infected by the morbillivirus?
Lymphocyte
What is the average infection spread caused by one measles patient?
1 will infect ~10 without isolation
What viral infection is characterized by this rash?
Measles: it is a maculopapular, semi-confluent rash
What day of infection does the characteristic measles rash manifest?
~13 days
What bacterial complication is common in 5-15% of measles cases?
Superinfection involving otitis media, mastoiditis, sinusitis, etc.
What rare neurological disease beginning 2-10 years after infection is associated with measles?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
What infection can cause a rare neurological disorder characterized by personality changes, intellectual deterioration, and possibly death about 2-10 years afterward?
Measles
How is measles diagnosed—clinically, or by lab tests?
Usually clinically (in atypical cases, measles antigen can be visualized with direct fluorescent antibody)
When does production of IgG begin after exposure to morbillivirus?
Around ~20 days afterward
How long can maternal antibodies suppress morbillivirus infection?
6 months
What is the treatment for measles?
None is available, so supportive
What kind of vaccine is the measles vaccine? What combination vaccine is it given with?
Live attenuated virus; measles mumps and rubella (MMR)
When are the MMR vaccines administered to children?
Between 12-15 months with a booster at 4-6 years
When was the measles vaccine introduced in the US?
1963
What is the reason for sporadic outbreaks of measles in select populations of the US?
Refusal of vaccination
Where is measles still common?
Africa and Asia
What viral infection is characterized by this presentation?
Mumps (from the british to “mump”, which means to grimace or grin)
Which gland swells in the presentation of rubulavirus (which causes mumps)?
The parotid gland
Which virus causes mumps, and what family does it belong to?
Rubulavirus, from the paramyxovirus family
On what day of infection does mumps spread to the spleen and lymphoid tissue?
7-10 days
What fraction of mumps cases results in meningitis?
10%
What fraction of mumps cases are subclinical?
30%
What is the type of vaccine used for mumps? What vaccine is it included with?
Live attenuated virus; MMR
What disease causes this rash?
Rubella
What is the genomic makeup of the rubella virus? What family does it belong to? Does it have an envelope?
Positive strand RNA virus; Togavirus; enveloped
What happens if a pregnant mother is infected with rubella in the early months of pregnancy?
Congenital rubella syndrome, which causes birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, heart defects, and mental retardation (>20% chance)
What is the type of vaccine used to counter rubella?
Live attenuated virus
What kind of drug is azidothymidine (AZT)?
A nucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor (NRTI), used to treat HIV by blocking the reverse transcriptase
Which class of HIV drugs is most similar in mechanism to acyclovir?
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: molecules that are similar to nucleosides, are incorporated into the chain by viral reverse transcriptase and terminate transcription
What are two major adverse effects of NRTIs as a class of drugs?
Mitochondrial toxicity (muscle weakness, mental status changes, pancreatitis, lactic acidosis) and dyslipidemia
What is the common name for azidothymidine?
Zidovudine
Which NRTIs have minimal toxicity outside of the mitochondrial toxicity and dyslipidemia caused by all NRTIs?
Lamivudine (3TC) and emtricitabine (FTC)
Which NRTI can cause a hypersensitivity reaction in certain HLA genotypes?
Abacavir (ABC)
Which NRTI has a high probability of renal toxicity or osteopenia?
Tenofovir (TDF)
Which two NRTIs have a particularly high risk of mitochondrial toxicity and insulin resistance?
Didanosine (ddI) and stavudine (d4T)
When did the era of combination anti-retroviral therapy for HIV begin?
1995-6
Does resistance develop faster with NRTIs or NNRTIs?
Generally, NNRTIs
What class of drugs do nevirapine, efavirenz, etravirine, and riplivirine belong to?
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
What adverse effect is common to efavirenz, etravirine, and rilpivirine?
Rash
Which NNRTI can cause a hypersensitivity reaction that is more common in women and in patients with high CD4+ cell counts?
Nevirapine (NVP)
How do NNRTIs inhibit viral reverse transcriptase?
Binding to an outside allosteric pocket: they do not target the active site of DNA synthesis directly
What liver enzyme is affected by NNRTIs that crease toxicity across the entire class of drugs?
Cytochrome P450
What class of drugs do atazanvir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir belong to? What infection are they a first-line agent for, assuming the infectious agent has not been exposed to drugs previously?
Protease inhibitors; HIV
Can ritonavir be used for its antiretroviral effect?
No, it is a potent CP450 inhibitor, it is only used as a pharmacokinetics booster at a low dose (since it allows another drug, e.g. lopinavir, to maintain effective plasma concentrations for longer)
What are adverse effects of all protease inhibitors?
Dyslipidemia, lipohypertrophy, and cytochrome P450 interactions
What class of drugs do nelfinavir, indinavir, and saquinavir all belong to? What are they used to treat?
Protease inhibitors; HIV
Do we still use the “treat early, treat hard” mantra for HIV?
No, treatment is now based on CD4+ counts, VL, and symptoms
By how much has mortality decreased for HIV in the US since the introduction of protease inhibitors and NNRTIs?
42%
What class of drugs do raltegravir and elvitegravir belong to? What is their function?
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors; they inhibit the enzyme that integrates the HIV genome into the host cell
What CCR5 antagonist is used to treat HIV? Does it work on all strains of the virus?
Maraviroc; no, it requires the CCR5 tropic virus
What happens during periods when HIV patients are not taking their medications properly?
Populations of drug resistant virus will replicate and re-infect cells, leading to a potentially very resistant infection
Can a sample of HIV from a patient be measured for resistance to various antiretrovirals?
Yes
What is being performed by this kind of assay?
Phenotypic resistance testing on a patient’s strain of a virus
What kind of prophylaxis is common for opportunistic infections of Pneumocystis jiroveci and Mycobacterium avium-complex in HIV patients?
TMP-SMX for P. jiroveci and Azithromycin for M. avium-complex
What percentage of HIV infected people in the US are estimated to be diagnosed? How many are retained in active HIV care?
80% diagnosed; 40% receiving ongoing care
Can antiretroviral therapy be given to prevent mother to infant transmission of HIV or infection post-exposure to contaminated fluids?
Yes
Does an efficacious AIDS vaccine currently exist? When was the last clinical trial for them performed?
No; 2012 ALVAC/AIDSVAX trial in Thailand
Has the number of people infected with HIV declined or increased since 1996? Are deaths stable, rising, or decreasing?
Infections have declined; deaths are decreasing slightly
What is the current first-line regimen for HIV?
Tenofovir and emtricitabine (NNRTIs) with either efavirenz (NNRTI), darunavir+ritonavir (PI), atazanavir+ritonavir (PI), or raltegravir (INSTI)
Which class of MHCs is responsible for presenting viral peptides?
MHC class I
Which kind of cells participate in cell mediated immunity against viruses?
Cytotoxic T-cells specific for immunogenic viral peptides
What cell types are involved in the humoral immunity response to a virus?
Helper (CD4+) T cells and B cells
What type of vaccines are the MMR and VZV vaccines?
Live-attenuated virus vaccines
When was the last case of paralytic poliomyelitis in the US?
1999
What are the current flu vaccines composed of? What phenomenon is responsible for the need for a new vaccine every year?
Two prevalent strains of influenza A (one H1N1 and one H3N2) and the single most prevalent strain of influenza B from the past year; antigenic drift requires updating of the vaccine
How many deaths are still attributable to measles worldwide per year?
~140k
Why can’t the Rubella vaccine be given during pregnancy?
Concerns for congenital rubella
Is the mumps vaccine 100% effective?
Some recent cases of mumps have occurred in vaccinees
What is an adverse effect of the varicella vaccine?
It may occasionally produce mild vaccine-associated disease
What is the difference between Varivax and Zostivax?
Zostivax is a zoster vaccine (same virus as varivax) but at a 10x higher dose intended for ≥60 yo patients
Should live virus vaccines be given to patients with defective cell-mediated immunity?
No, because they could contract the disease
What is the composition of the human papillomavirus vaccine? Does it contain nucleic acids
Reassambed virus-like particles; no
How is HPV typically transmitted
By direct (sexual) contact
What are common adverse reactions to viral vaccines?
Fever, injection site reactions and a mild rash after MMR
What was a risk of the live oral vaccine for polio? What change in the polio vaccine was introduced to prevent it?
Small chance of developing paralytic polio; an inactivated whole virus viaccine is now used
What would be a contraindication to administering any vaccine?
A prior anaphylactic reation
What allergy is checked before administering the influenza vaccine?
Eggs, since the vaccine is cultured in eggs
What happened to the paper published in the Lancet by Wakefield et al. claiming vaccines could cause autism?
It was retracted 10 years later
What are the top three cancers attributable to HPV?
Cervix, oral cavity and larynx
Which type of cancer caused by HPV represents 10% of female cancers worldwide?
Cervical cancer
Is HPV infection common or rare? How many types or strains are there?
Very common; >140 types/strains
What are the symptoms of infection with a low-risk HPV type?
Ano-genital condyloma (genital wart) and low-grade dysplasia
Which are the HPV types that are most prevalently associated with high grade dysplasia and cervical cancer?
16 and 18
What proportion of cervical cancers are associated with HPV infections?
>99%
What proportion of anal, vaginal, and penile cancers are attributable to high-risk HPV infection?
70-85% of anal cancers and 40-50% of vaginal and penile cancers
What is the outcome for most HPV infections?
Spontaneous clearance
What are suspected coexisting risk factors for cervical cancer post HPV infection?
Smoking, host polymorphisms, oral contraception, and other STDs
What is the structure and genomic makeup of HPV?
Non-enveloped dsDNA virus with a circular genome (7.9kbp)
Why are HPV proteins named either by E or L?
E is the early region of the genome that codes for replication proteins and oncogenic proteins, and L is the late region that codes for capsid proteins
Are keratinocytes easier or harder for cytotoxic lymphocytes to kill than most other cell types? How does this affect HPV infection?
Harder; HPV can survive more easily
Does HPV infect the bloodstream?
No
Both commercial vaccines for HPV contain VLPs. What are they?
Virus-like particles, or “shells” of the virus without the nucleic acid portion
HPV vaccines contain adjuvants. What is their purpose?
To stimulate a stronger immune response
What are the commercial names for the HPV vaccines?
Gardasil and Cervarix
Which HPV strains are covered by the HPV4 or quadrivalent (Gardasil) vaccine? Which are covered by the HPV2 or bivalent (Cervarix) vaccine?
Quadrivalent: 6,11,16,18;
Bivalent: 16,18