Viral Infections in Childhood Flashcards
What forms the nucleocapsid?
Nucleic acid and protein coat (capsid)
DNA viruses are usually ____-stranded and RNA ____-stranded.
Double
Single
What is the exception to the rule that DNA viruses are usually double stranded?
Parvovirus (single stranded)
What is the exception to the rule that RNA viruses are usually single stranded?
Reoviruses (double stranded)
What are the five steps in the viral life cycle?
- ATTACHMENT
- ENTRY
- UNCOATING
- SYNTHESIS OF VIRAL COMPONENTS
- ASSEMBLY AND RELEASE
What is required for step 1 of the viral life cycle (attachment)?
Cell must be permissive (ie have all the right intracellular components required by the virus to replicate) and have receptors (and co-receptors) on the plasma membrane of the cell. There must also be binding sites on the virus.
What happens in step 2 of the cycle (entry)?
How long does it take?
Enveloped viruses undergo membrane fusion and may undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Seconds to minutes
Where can step 3 take place (uncoating)?
What does it result in?
Endosome, cytosol, nuclear membrane
Results in transport to the right part of the cell to begin new virion production
What does step 4 involve/require?
Requires viral mRNA to enable viral polypeptides and nucleic acid to be synthesized by cell machinery. DNA viruses that enter the nucleus can use only cellular enzymes, but all other viruses must synthesize their viral mRNA (may carry their own enzymes).
What does step 5 involve/require?
New virions assembled and are released by cell lysis.
What are the important enveloped DNA viruses in this lecture?
Herpes viruses (herpes simplex, varicella zoster, CMV, Epstein-Barr, HHV 6/7/8)
Hepatitis B
Poxviruses
What are the important non-enveloped DNA viruses in this lecture?
Papillomavirus
Adenovirus
Parvovirus (single stranded DNA)
What does herpes simplex cause in neonates? (2)
Disseminated HSV - a sepsis-like syndrome with high mortality. It causes hepatitis and coagulopathy.
HSV encephalitis - this presents with fever and seizures. There is haemorrhagic infarction of white matter and cortex.
How is disseminated HSV treated?
IV aciclovir
What can be said about viral infections in early life? (3)
Often more severe
More likely to become chronic
Prolonged shedding
Why are viral infections more severe in early life?
Antiviral immunity is not well developed
Cytomegalovirus - for which population of patients is this NOT subclinical/self-limited?
What types of symptoms does it cause?
Immunosuppressed
Mononucleosis-type illness
What is the most common congenital infection in developed countries?
Congenital CMV
How many % of babies with congenital CMV are symptomatic at birth?
10%
What are the long-term complications of congenital CMV?
Long term hearing deficit
Neuro-developmental delay
How is congenital CMV treated?
IV ganciclovir or oral valganciclovir (pro-drug) – this inhibits DNA synthesis
6 months of treatment
What are the problems associated with long-term treatment for congenital CMV?
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
IV access
What treatments might cause varicella zoster to be severe? (2)
Steroid treatment
Chemotherapy