smallpox, rabies Flashcards
what viruses are in the poxviruses family?
smallpox/variola vaccinia molluscum contagiosum (MCV)
what is the only disease to have been completely eradicated?
smallpox
how was smallpox eradicated?
vaccine
possible because there’s only one, stable serotype
what is the genome structure of poxviruses?
linear double-stranded DNA
are poxviruses enveloped?
yes, they have a lipoprotein envelope
do poxviruses contain a polymerase?
yes, a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
where do poxviruses replicate? what are the implications for this in terms of what the virus must have?
in the cytoplasm (unusual for a DNA virus)
needs it’s own polymerase
how many serotypes of smallpox are there?
just one
how many reservoirs for smallpox are there?
just one, humans
describe the replication cycle of smallpox
1: penetration of cell
2: uncoating
3: virion DNA-dependent RNA polymerase synthesizes early mRNA
4: early mRNA translated into early, nonstructural proteins, esp enzymes required for subsequent steps in viral replication
5: viral DNA replicated
6: late, structural proteins synthesized
7: virions assembled
8: attain envelope by budding from cell membrane
how is smallpox transmitted?
via respiratory aerosol or by direct contact with virus either in the skin lesions or on fomites such as bedding
where does smallpox initially infect?
upper respiratory tract and local lymph nodes
what organs and tissue types are infected by smallpox and in what order? at what point during the illness do these event occur?
initially upper respiratory tract and local lymph nodes
spread via viremia to blood
infects internal organs
renters blood and spreads to skin
all occurs during incubation period when patient is still well
why does smallpox cause a rash?
due to virus replicating in the skin and then damage due to cytotoxic T cells attacking virus-infected cells
how long is immunity to smallpox virus? how long is immunity after vaccination?
immunity is lifelong after disease, about 10 years after vaccination
what is the incubation period of smallpox?
7 to 14 days
what are the prodromal symptoms of smallpox?
fever and malaise appear suddenly after incubation period
what is the clinical presentation of the rash due to smallpox infection?
much worse on face and extremities than on the trunk
evolves through stages from macules to papules, vesicles, pustules, and finally crusts after 2-3 weeks
how is smallpox diagnosed? (laboratory diagnosis)
either grow virus in cell culture or chick embryos or detect viral antigens in vesicular fluid using immunofluorescence
what kind of vaccine is the smallpox vaccine?
live attenuated vaccinia virus
what are the critical factors that allowed for the smallpox vaccine to be sucessful? (5)
1: smallpox has a single, stable serotype
2: there is no animal reservoir and humans are the only hosts
3: the antibody response is prompt and therefore exposed persons can be protected
4: the disease is easily recognized clinically and therefore exposed persons can be immunized promptly
5: there is no carrier state or subclinial infection
why are people no longer routinely vaccinated for smallpox?
side effects such as encephalitis, generalized vaccinia and vaccinia gangrenosa exceeded the incidence of smallpox
military personel and first responders are still vaccinated
how is smallpox vaccine applied? how can you tell that it worked?
applied intradermally, where virus replication occurs
formation of a vesicle is indication of a “take” (success)