Opportunistic Viral Infections Flashcards
How are viruses classified?
Baltimore classification
By replicative life cycle + genetic material
What is an opportunistic infection?
Infection caused by an organism that does not normally cause disease in an immunocompetent host
or symptomatology may be altered in the immunocompromised
What are endogenous viral infections?
Latent viruses that reactivate in absence of normal immune system.
Acquired in past, prior to immune suppression e.g. Varicella Zoster.
What are exogenous viral infections?
Viruses acquired from environment.
Increased severity in immunosuppressed e.g. Influenza, SARS-CoV-2.
How do you remember which HPV is more severe?
higher number= greater severity
HPV 6+8: genital warts
HPV 16+18: cervical cancer
What is indirect detection of a virus?
Response of immune system to the virus.
Useful to see if you have EVER had the infection.
What is direct detection of a virus?
Useful to see if you have the infection NOW
- Viral proteins (lateral flow/ antigen tests).
- Viral genetic material (virus genetic material present with pt sample)
Polymerase chain reaction.
How is serology used to determine infection with a virus?
Measure levels of antibody in patients serum.
+++ IgM: Active/ Resolving infection
+++ IgG: past infection > 6w ago
Antibody levels ↓↓↓ reduced in Immunosuppressed.
Serological course may differ depending upon virus.
What does this mean?
Surface antibody declines in the future, core antibody remains high for Hep B.
Surface antibody indicates previous vaccination, core antibody is previous infection with the real thing.
Give 3 facts about direct detection with PCR
Highly sensitive + specific
Viral load can be used to monitor infection
Can remain +ve even after infection resolved
At what point does the PCR viral load tend to peak?
When most infectious + just prior to worst Sx
What approach is used for virology diagnostics in immunocompromised?
- Screen prior to immunosuppression- identify previous exposure that may reactivate + guide antiviral prophylaxis
- Monitor with PCR: identify reactivation promptly + detect infection
Which antibodies are screened in serological screening prior to immunosuppression?
HIV Ag/Ab
HBV surface antigen, core antibody + surface antibody
HCV antibody
EBV antibody
CMV antibody
HSV antibody
VZV antibody
HTLV antibody
What is monitored/prophylactically treated during immunosuppression?
CMV monitoring PCR or prophylaxis
EBV monitoring PCR
BK monitoring PCR (Renal + BMT)
Adenovirus monitoring PCR (Paediatric BMT)
HSV prophylaxis if indicated
A 51-year-old with a recent HSCT is unwell. Which is the most appropriate test? ALT = 800 IU/mL
A. EBV IgG/IgM
B. HBV sAb
C. Parvovirus PCR
D. HEV PCR
E. CMV IgG/IgM
D. HEV PCR
Immune system not functioning- unable to accurately test production of antibodies, IgM + IgG
Abnormal ALT is likely in Hepatitis E
Parvovirus more likely to cause red cell aplasia/ anaemia
What increases the risk of opportunistic infections, from highest to lowest?
Allogeneic stem cell transplant
Advanced HIV infection (CD4 dep)
Solid organ transplant
Various monoclonal antibody therapies
Cytotoxic chemotherapy
DMARDs and steroids
Describe the transplant immunosuppression timeline for haematopoeitic stem cells
- Total body irradiation/ cyclophosphamide- eradicates disease + wipes out immune system
- Transplant- no neutrophils
- Wait for transplant to take- no neutrophils
- Engraftment- neutrophils start to rise- now need ongoing immunosuppression to prevent GvHD
- If successful, eventually cease immunosuppression
Describe the transplant immunosuppression timeline for solid organs
- Induction immunosuppression- need to suppress + prevent T cell activation
- Transplant organ
- Continue maintenance immunosuppression- lifelong
What are sources of viral infection from transplants?
Acquired from graft: HBV
Reactivation from the host: HSV
Novel infection from infected individual: VZV
What can be done to reduce risk of acquiring viruses from grafts?
Check donor serostatus
Risk assessment
What can be done to reduce risk of viral reactivation in a transplant recipient?
Check recipient + donor serostatus
Monitor with PCR
Consider prophylaxis + pre-emptive therapy
What can be done to reduce risk of acquiring novel viruses in a transplant patient?
Isolation barrier nursing
Educating visitors
PEP
Vaccinate contacts
Control diet
List 5 high incidence infections pre-engraftment in HSCT recipients
CoNS
Strep Viridans
HSV
Candida
Aspergillus
List 4 high incidence infections post-engraftment in HSCT recipients
CMV
VZV
Adenovirus
Aspergillus
Which type of immunosuppression carries the greatest relative risk of developing a viral infection?
A. Steroids
B. Solid organ transplant
C. Allogeneic stem cell transplant
D. Monoclonal antibody therapies
E. Cytotoxic chemotherapy
C. Allogeneic stem cell transplant
What is symptomatic screening molecular testing?
Screen + perform molecular tests according to presenting Sx
e.g. Headache, confusion, meningism do LP + screen CSF
What 8 viruses are tested for in symptomatic screening in the CSF?
- HSV
- VZV
- Enterovirus
- EBV
- CMV
- Adenovirus
- HHV6
- JC virus
What 5 viruses are tested for in symptomatic screening in the blood?
- CMV
- EBV
- Adeno
- HHV6
- Parvo
What 9 viruses are tested for in symptomatic screening in the respiratory system?
- Flu A/B
- Paraflu 1-4
- Adenovirus
- Enterovirus
- RSV
- HMPV
- Rhinovirus
- Coronaviruses
- CMV in BAL
What 3 viruses are tested for in symptomatic screening in the gut?
- HSV
- CMV
- Adeno