MICROBIOLOGY - Viral Infections Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of aciclovir?
Inhibits DNA polymerase
What type of viruses are herpes virus?
double stranded DNA viruses
What are the main subtypes of herpes viruses?
alpha, beta, gamma
Alpha: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV
what is the pathogenesis of herpetic disease?
Virus attaches to gD (host cell receptor) and through molecules such as nectin, herpes viral entry mediator and other glycoproteins, it facilitates viral capsid into the host cell, and fuses with host cell for endocytosis
Capsid is transported to nucleus using host cell DNA polymerase and virions are released from host cells to infect other nearby cells.
Virus replicates (via TLR-9) in epithelium and travels ciliary and ophthalmic nerves to the trigeminal ganglion via RETROGRADE TRNSPORT.
Has latency in the trigeminal ganglion, after reactivation, has ANTEROGRADE transport through neurons to original site of corneal infection
What is the structure of CMV?
Double stranded DNA virus
What is the pathogenesis of CMV? What is the histopathological sign?
Primary infection: CD8 T cell mediated and the virus becomes latent withn lymphocytes.
Owl’s eye inclusion bodies are specific histopathological sign.
Affects retina primarily at posterior pole
What virus is Kaposi’s sarcoma associated with?
- HHV-8
- HIV
What is the structure of adenoviruses? What are the serotypes?
double stranded DNA viruses.
3 and 7 serotypes - pharyngoconjunctival fever
8, 19, 35: keratoconjunctivitis
What are the virulence factors / pathogenesis of adenoviruses? (4)
- Disrupt MHC presentation by infected cells
- Suppress transcription encoding class I MHC
- Inhibition of cell lysis by TNF
- Interacts with retinoblastoma and p53 genes
Which virus causes corneal scarring with vitamin A deficiency?
Measles (parmyxovirus RNA)
What are the ocular manifestations of rubella? (8) are the non-ocular manifestations of rubella? (3)
What is its structure?
togavirus (single stranded RNA)
- Cataracts (pearly white)
- Microophthalmia
- Glaucoma
- Cloudy cornea (keratitis/raised IOP)
- Pigmentary retinopathy (most common - salt and pepper fundus)
- Fuch’s Heterochromic Uveitis (in adults)
- Keratoconus
- Strabismus
Non ocular: Cardiac abnormality, sensorineural deafness, encephalitis
What is the structure of HIV? What are the subtypes?
single stranded RNA virus containing reverse transcriptase (two copies)
Type 1: urban centres, homosexuals and IVDU
Type 2: African, heterosexual transmission
What is the pathogenesis of HIV infection?
- Binds to CD4 receptors on T-helper cells with CCR5 or CXCR4 as co-receptors
- gag gene encodes the core nucelocapsid polypeptides
- viral reverse transcriptase transcribes ssRNA to dsDNA - highly error prone so new strands made
- Complementary DNA becomes part of host genome (provirus)
- Multinucleate cells form after infection leading to cell death, destroying CD4 cells
- Decreased cell mediated immune response and decreased T cell dependent immunoglobulins.
What are the main changes seen in AIDS vs HIV? (3)
- Increase in p24 (core protein) and decrease in antibodies to core proteins - detects early HIV infection
- reduced CD4:CD8 ratio (<1)
- antibodies to gp41, gp120 and gp160 envelope glycoproteins - HIV produces different glycoprotein envelopes making it better at escaping host immunity.
What are the ocular manifestations of HIV?
- Extraocular movement complications
- Retinopathy (cotton wool spots, perivasculitis and retinal haemorrhages)
- Optic neuropathy
- Thin RNFL layer
- Mild colour vision loss, mild contrast sensitivity loss
- Mild visual field defects