Sketchy Micro: Arenavirus

Question 1

What kind of virus is Arenavirus?

Answer 1

• Negative-sense ssRNA (orange tones with the moon above the arena)
• Enveloped (like the robed gladiators)
• Segmented (like the two circular segments that the fighters need to stay in)

Question 2

Although Arenavirus is mostly negative-sense, it can ______________.

Answer 2

encode positively, making it ambisense

Think of the gladiator wielding a dagger in each hand –he’s ambidextrous.

Question 3

Arenavirus has a ___________ capsid.

Answer 3

helical (like the spiraling streamers up the columns)

Question 4

Arenavirus has a ____________-appearing capsid.

Answer 4

grainy (like the gritty sand that the fighters are standing on)

Question 5

How are the Arenaviruses transmitted to humans?

Answer 5

From rodents (like the mice scurrying around the edge of the arena)

Question 6

What is LCV?

Answer 6

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Remember the Roman numeral LCV –which is not actually a number –in the background.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of LCV?

Answer 7

Aseptic meningitis with encephalitis; also fever

(This is a little tricky: the red turban on the ambidextrous fighter covers both his head – encephalitis –and neck –meningitis. Also, he’s sweating.)

Question 8

How can Arenavirus be inactivated?

Answer 8

With heat (like the flaming spear) and irradiation (like the reflected moonbeam)