WK 9- Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What are the 6 basic diseases of the respiratory tract
Rhinitis Pharyngitis Croup Bronchitis Bronchiolitis Pneumonia
What are the symptoms of rhinits
copious watery nasal discharge & obstruction, sneezing, +/- mild sore throat, +/- cough, little or no fever
What are the main pathogens that cause rhinitis
50% rhinovirus, 15% coronaviruses and then remaining are caused by enteroviruses (coxsackie), RSV, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus
What are the pathogens that cause pharyngitis
most are viral- influenza, adenovirus, RSV, parainfluenza, rhinovirus→ most have a viral cause
What are the symptoms of laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)
Barking cough (young children), hoarsness (older children), inspiratory stridor and respiratory distress
What are the complications of croup
usually mild and self limited but can progress to significant laryngeal obstruction and cyanosis
What are the pathogens that cause croup
Most common parainfluenza cause, then RSV and influenza
What is the main cause of acute bronchitis
Influenza, Parainfluenza, RSV
What are the pathogens that cause bronchiolitis
is RSV, then hMPV, parainfluenza and influenza
What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchioles
- Rapid & laboured breathing, cough, expiratory wheezing, cyanosis, atelectasis, marked emphysema
- potentially fatal in newborns and thought to be a cause of SIDS
What pathogens cause pneumonia
Viruses are the main cause of pneumonia in children
- Most common= RSV, hMPV, Parainfluenaza, influenza, adenovirus
- Less common= measles, varicella, CMV
Describe the genome of the influenza virus
-ve sense RNA genome that is in 8 different segments
What are the glycoproteins present on the viral envelope of influenza
haemaglutinin (HA) allows attachment and entry into cell and neuramindase (NA) is important in viral release from the host cell (allows it to infect other cells)
What are the 3 types of infleunza and which is most prevalent in humans
Influenza A: affects animals and bird species and a major cause of epidemics and pandemics
Influenza B: human pathogen only that causes localised outbreaks
influenza C: not generally considered a human pathogen
How is influenza subtyped
-Subtyping is based on NA and HA subtypes–> There are 18 known subtypes of HA and 11 of NA in animals and man
What subtypes of NA and HA are found in humans
only H1-3 and N1&2 are commonly found in humans
What is antigenic drift
- Occurs in both influenza A and B
- Occurs when there are small repeated point mutations when coding for HA and NA–> this causes the strain to be slightly mutated, meaning that the body has no immune defence against it (no antibodies present as it is technically a new strain) -> allows for reinfection
- this is the reason for an updated flu vaccine to be available every year
What is antigenic shift
-what strains does it affect
- Influenza A only
- More extensive and sudden alteration in viral antigens, occurs occasionally & unpredictably
- Is due to the exchange of genetic material between 2 different strains of Influenza A E.g. 2 influenza strains (1 human, 1 avian) co-infecting a single pig cell
- New strains are anitgenically different= able to cause pandemics
How is influenza transmitted (2 ways)
Respiratory droplet= released from infected person and can land on mucous membrane of another person
Contact spread= When infected respiratory secretions come into contact with a person’s hand and is then transferred to their mouth, nose or eyes
What is the process of influenza replication
- Virus binds to host cell sialic acid receptor via HA & enters via receptor-mediated endocytosis→ 2. Fusion, uncoating of virus → 3. transport into nucleus
- Genome replication via viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (turns RNA into mRNA so can eventually be turned into a protein) –> 5. Translated into the cytoplasm–> Assembled at surface of host cell membrane and newly formed virus buds out with HA & NA on viral envelope
What is the pathogenesis of influenza
Infection localised to the RT however initiates a cascade of immune reactions
→Cytokine release, immune cell activation causes systemic symptoms e.g. fever
-Flu NS1 enables the virus to evade & antagonise the IFN response
-Influenza also causes tissue damage
What is the presentation of influenza
-IP and symptoms
- Short incubation period: 18 - 72hrs
- Sudden onset of fever & resp Sx such as cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose plus headaches, myalgia & often extreme fatigue
What complications can arise from influenza
pneumonia→ Flu-related complications can occur at any age, however most likely in elderly & those with chronic underlying diseases (initial damage to the URTI allows for secondary infection leading to pneumonia→ commonly by staph aureus)
What complications arise from severe influenza
viral pneumonitis, bacterial pneumonia, encephalitis, myositis, carditis
Who are most likely to be affected by complications of influenza
-Most severe in:
→ Children: may not have any protective Ab, small diameter of respi tract is also an important factor
→ Elderly: waning immune system, COPD, chronic disease