Virus Flashcards
What virus causes Chicken Pox?
Varicella Zoster Virus
What type of parasite is a virus?
Obligate Intracellular Parasite - must reproduce in cells - no ribosomes
Explain Virus structures
DNA/RNA (10s-100s of genes) - protein coat (capsid), surface proteins, sometime lipid envelope (avoids immune system)
What are 2 examples of viral testing?
Antigen testing - antibody derived from cells - recognise proteins(antigens) in biological samples
PCR - amplify specific nucleic acid sequence
What virus causes smallpox?
Variola major
How do virus infect cells?
Spike protein on virus binds to receptor proteins on host cell - inject nucleic acid into host cell - host replicated viral DNA - new virus assembled in cell e.g. capsid - sometimes & lipid envelope forms - host cells lyse & release virus
Example of viruses that spread via oral transmission
Hepatitis A, norovirus (2 bucket illness - emesis & diarrhoea), rotavirus (emesis), polio
Examples of viruses that spread via skin contact
HPV, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Epstein Bar virus, Varicella-Zoster virus, Coxsackie
Examples of viruses that spread via sexual transmission
HIV, HPV, HSV-1
Examples of viruses that spread via droplet transmission?
SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus (common cold), influenza, RSV, measles
Examples of viruses that spread via direct inoculation?
Hepatitis B, HIV, Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus, Rabies
What is the average basic reproduction number?
Expected number of secondary infections caused by a single infected person - >1 = cases rise - <1 = cases fall
What is the case fatality rate?
Proportion of people who die from a specified disease among all positive cases over a period of time
Who is immune against monkeypox?
Anyone vaccinated against smallpox - Irish people born before 1972
What led to the eradication of small pox?
Vaccination - Jenner - inoculated with milder disease called cowpox - similar to small pox - led to immunity
Variolation - small sample from pustule placed in cut - small viral load - mild case of small pox - immunity
Can you be cured of Herpes Simplex Virus 1?
No - its a life long disease - lies dormant in neuronal cells near nucleus
Explain HSV-1 infection?
Infects epithelial cells - cold sores, pustules, tingling sensation - lies dormant in neuronal cells until reactivated by stresses or when immune system compromised
What virus causes cold sores?
Herpes Simplex Virus 1
What is the effect of a Varicella Zoster Virus infection?
Chickenpox in youth - reactivates in elderly causing shingles - can travel to optic nerves & cause blindness
What is a retrovirus?
Contains RNA & an enzyme called reverse transcriptase - viral RNA converted to DNA & inserted into host’s genome - transcription & translation occurs - virus is released via budding
What percentage of the human genome is believed to have come from retroviruses & examples of features that they code for?
8% - placenta & synapses
Give an example of a retrovirus
HIV
What virus causes AIDS?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
What cells do HIV target?
CD4 lymphocytes (T cells)
How fast does HIV replicate?
10 billion viruses per day
How is HIV contracted?
Unprotected sexual intercourse (anal & vaginal), blood transfusions, needles, mother to baby (transplacentally, breast milk, birth)
What is used to treat HIV?
Anti-Retroviral triple therapy - nucleosides, protease inhibitors, RT inhibitors) - costly
Where did HIV originate?
mines in the Congo
What is a zoonotic disease?
Disease that can be transferred from 1 specie to another - influenza, HIV, Ebola, SARS-CoV-2 - often come from bats as they have strong immune systems & can carry many diseases
What virus causes Covid-19?
SARS-CoV-2
What receptor does SARS-CoV-2 bind to?
ACE 2 recpetors
How many SARS-CoV-2 virus particles can be in one droplet?
10,000
Explain a SARS-CoV-2 infection
Spike protein stick to glycans of mucins in respiratory tract - bind to ACE 2 receptors (respiratory tract, blood vessels, intestine) - TMPRSS2 protease cleaves virus to receptor - symptoms after 2 days - phagocytes engulf virus - Antigen Presenting cells bring viral fragments to CD4 cells - stimulate the plasma cells to produce IgM antibodies first followed by IgG - IgG on repeat infection
How can cases be measured in urban areas?
Quantify virions in wastewater - sample of sewage taken - sample centrifuged & RNA purified - sample lysed & RNA extracted - reversed transcribed to cDNA to allow RT-qPCR to take place