We - Transmission of pathogens: different roads, different challenges Flashcards
What is the definition of R0?
R0 is the average number of secondary cases one case would produce in a completely susceptible population
In which two ways is R0 estimated retrospectively?
By using seroepidemiological data or by using theoretical mathematical models
What is the definition of Rt?
Effective reproduction number Rt mean number of additional infections at a specific time
What virus causes the common cold?
Rhinovirus
What type of virus is Rhinovirus?
ssRNA virus
Why is vaccination for the common cold difficult? (2)
Many different strains, and receptor binding site forms a canyon.
Why doesn’t rhinovirus infect the lower respiratory tract in healthy patients?
Because it gets killed by macrophages
What is the main reason why influenza won’t be a pandemic? Explain (complicated)
Hemagglutinin is required to bind the host cell and neuraminidase is required to be released from the host cell at the same time, which can be hard to do.
What are the three other main reasons why influenza won’t be a pandemic? (3)
Infection in the upper respiratory tract, large number of viral particles initially, but the number falls, and singular viral particles
Where does tuberculosis survive?
In alveolar macrophages
What does arbo-virus stand for?
Arthropod-borne virus
What type of virus is yellow fever?
ssRNA virus
