Viruses 2 - Retroviruses, HSV, etc. - KMS Flashcards
What is the genetic makeup of a retrovirus? What enzymes must be packaged in the capsule?
•Enveloped +ssRNA with reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase) and integration into host cell DNA
What viruses are pertinent from the Oncornavirus family?
•Oncornaviruses: HTLV 1, HTLV 2 (Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus)
(a type of retrovirus)
Generally speaking, Oncornaviruses are what?
•Oncogenic transforming viruses
What does an HTLV-1 infection cause?
•HTLV-I produces HTLV myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and T-cell leukemia/lymphomas
What does an HTLV-2 infection cause?
•HTLV-II associated with several cases of myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and T cell lymphoproliferative disease (hairy-cell leukemia-like)
Why are Lentiviruses are clinically important?
Lentiviruses include HIV-1 and HIV-2
How is HIV spread?
•Spread by fluids (sex, transfusions, contaminated needles) or during pregnancy
How is an HIV virus able to gain access to a cell? What cells do they need to gain access to initially? What is essential for this process?
•Attach to CD4 receptor & CCR5 (mφ) or CXCR4 (TH cell) coreceptors
Absolutely need co-receptor for this process to occur
What cells does HIV-1 have a predilection for?
•Tropism for CD4+ (T-helper) cells
What are the initial symptoms of an HIV-1 infection?
•Lymphadenopathy, fever, weight loss and malaise
What is a common-ish neurological manifestation of AIDS? Why?
•AIDS dementia: mimics Alzheimer disease, may involve HIV infection of the brain and microglia
AIDS is frequently associated with what change in body habitus due to what syndrome?
•Wasting syndrome (“slim disease“) common in Africa.
Where is HIV-2 commonly found?
•HIV-2 similar to HIV-1 infection but restricted to W. Africa
How is AIDS diagnosed? What is tested for to help this Dx?
- Dx- Occurrence of AIDS defining disease (opportunistic infection, malignancy, etc.)
- Serology for HIV antibodies using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay) and Western Blot (tests for antibodies against viral proteins), PCR
How is HIV and AIDS treated?
•Rx – Antiretrovirals:
nucleoside/nucleotide analogues
nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
protease inhibitors
fusion inhibitors
chemokine coreceptor antagonists
integrase inhibitors
Why are the gag genes important for HIV infection? What genes are included, and what do they make?
Gag (group specific antigens) polyprotein
gag
p24 - capsid, early marker of infection
p7p9 - core nucleocapsid
p17 - matrix
Why are the pol genes important for HIV infection?
Pol (polymerase) polyprotein
pol:
Reverse transcriptase - produces provirus
Integrase - DNA integration into host DNA
Protease - cleaves viral polyprotein
Why are env genes important for HIV infection?
Envelope proteins
env:
gp120 - Binds CD4 & CCR5(mφ)or CXCR4(TH-cell)
gp41 - Host cell fusion protein
Why are LTR genes important for HIV infection?
- LTR*: Long terminal repeat sequences
- LTR* - Integration and viral gene expression
What is the genetic makeup of Herpesviruses? enveloped?
•Large, dsDNA and enveloped
What histological findings are common with Herpesvirus infection?
•Produce intranuclear inclusions and multinucleated giant cells
What unusual feature about Herpesviruses allow them to create recurrent infections? What types stay where in the body?
- Capable of latency and can lead to recurrent infections
- HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV are “neurotropic”
- CMV and EBV are “lymphotropic“
What is the natural reservoir of HSV, CMV, VZV, and EBV?
humans
Name the 8 types of HHVs and the diseases they cause.
- *1.HHV 1 [α] - Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1)
2. HHV 2 [α] - Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2)
3. HHV 3 [α] - Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV)
4. HHV 4 [ȣ] - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (Oncogenic transforming virus)
5. HHV 5 [β] - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (Oncogenic transforming virus)**
6. HHV 6 [β]– Causes roseola infantum/exanthema subitum (sixth disease)
7. HHV 7 [β]– Causes roseola infantum/exanthema subitum (sixth disease) - *8.HHV 8 [ȣ]– Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (Oncogenic transforming virus)**
Where does herpes simplex initially replicate? How does reinfection manifest?
•Replicate initially in skin or mucosae followed by latent neural infection with subsequent recurrences of skin and mucosal lesions
What histological findings should you associate with herpes simplex infections?
•Have intranuclear acidophilic Cowdry type A inclusions
How is HSV-1 typically transmitted, and what can it cause?
- Usually transmitted by saliva
- “Cold sores” (herpes labialis)
- Gingivostomatitis – oropharyngeal blister in kids
- Herpetic keratitis - if accompanied by conjunctivitis can lead to corneal scarring and blindness
What is a potentially disastrous outcome of HSV-1?
•Fatal sporadic encephalitis, #1 cause in U.S.
What is the typical presentation of an HSV-2 infection?
•Genital herpes – blistering skin/mucosal lesions
What are 2 lesser known presentations of HSV-2 infections?
- Whitlows – erythematous lesions on toes or nail cuticle
- Neonatal herpes - local or disseminated (50% mortality if untreated) Herpetic meningitis & encephalitis also occur
How is HSV-2 typically transmitted? What other infection can it increase chances contracting?
- Generally transmitted by sexual contact or during delivery
- Increases risk of subsequent HIV infection
How is a HSV infection Dx’ed?
•Dx – cytology, immunostaining, PCR
How is an HSV infection treated?
•Rx – acyclovir (other “ciclovir” anti-virals)
How is Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) typically transmitted?
•Respiratory transmission