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Questions and Answers
What is the definition of a virus?
What is the definition of a virus?
A virus is defined as a sub-microscopic, obligate intracellular parasite that is only active inside viable dividing host cells.
What are virions and how do they form?
What are virions and how do they form?
Virions are virus particles that do not grow or divide; they form through the assembly of pre-formed viral protein components.
Explain the role of envelope glycoproteins in viral infection.
Explain the role of envelope glycoproteins in viral infection.
Envelope glycoproteins help viruses attach to target cells, defining the specificity of the interaction with the host's receptors.
What are the three mechanisms by which viral penetration occurs?
What are the three mechanisms by which viral penetration occurs?
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What is a nucleocapsid in the context of a virus?
What is a nucleocapsid in the context of a virus?
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Describe how viruses with an RNA genome replicate.
Describe how viruses with an RNA genome replicate.
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What differentiates 'early' and 'late' viral proteins?
What differentiates 'early' and 'late' viral proteins?
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How does the specificity of the viral protein and host receptor interaction affect viral infections?
How does the specificity of the viral protein and host receptor interaction affect viral infections?
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What can transcriptional errors during viral replication lead to?
What can transcriptional errors during viral replication lead to?
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Where can assembly of viral proteins occur within a host cell?
Where can assembly of viral proteins occur within a host cell?
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What are inclusion bodies and why are they significant in viral diagnosis?
What are inclusion bodies and why are they significant in viral diagnosis?
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What are the three basic types of tests for diagnosing viral infections?
What are the three basic types of tests for diagnosing viral infections?
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What is the role of exocytosis in viral release from infected cells?
What is the role of exocytosis in viral release from infected cells?
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How can a latent viral infection manifest, and what triggers reactivation?
How can a latent viral infection manifest, and what triggers reactivation?
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What distinguishes PCR or antigen detection tests from antibody tests in viral diagnostics?
What distinguishes PCR or antigen detection tests from antibody tests in viral diagnostics?
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What methods are commonly used for viral antigen detection?
What methods are commonly used for viral antigen detection?
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What are the main differences between bacteria and viruses?
What are the main differences between bacteria and viruses?
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What types of influenza viruses exist and what are their sources of infection?
What types of influenza viruses exist and what are their sources of infection?
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List some antiviral agents and the diseases they treat.
List some antiviral agents and the diseases they treat.
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Why do we have different vaccines for influenza each year?
Why do we have different vaccines for influenza each year?
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Can viruses be cultured and isolated from pathological samples?
Can viruses be cultured and isolated from pathological samples?
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What role do public health measures play in controlling viral infections?
What role do public health measures play in controlling viral infections?
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What are live attenuated and inactivated vaccines, and how do they differ?
What are live attenuated and inactivated vaccines, and how do they differ?
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What is the function of protease inhibitors in antiviral therapy?
What is the function of protease inhibitors in antiviral therapy?
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Explain the importance of seasonal vaccines for influenza.
Explain the importance of seasonal vaccines for influenza.
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What is the significance of antiviral agents being specific to certain viruses?
What is the significance of antiviral agents being specific to certain viruses?
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What defines the specificity of viral infection in terms of host interaction?
What defines the specificity of viral infection in terms of host interaction?
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How do viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm manage to produce their own nucleic acids?
How do viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm manage to produce their own nucleic acids?
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What role do viral capsomers play in the structure of a virus?
What role do viral capsomers play in the structure of a virus?
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Discuss the difference between segmented and non-segmented viral genomes.
Discuss the difference between segmented and non-segmented viral genomes.
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What is the importance of the viral envelope in the entry process of a virus into a host cell?
What is the importance of the viral envelope in the entry process of a virus into a host cell?
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Explain how 'early' and 'late' proteins are categorized in a viral life cycle.
Explain how 'early' and 'late' proteins are categorized in a viral life cycle.
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What distinguishes enveloped viruses from non-enveloped viruses in terms of their assembly?
What distinguishes enveloped viruses from non-enveloped viruses in terms of their assembly?
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How does endocytosis facilitate viral entry into host cells?
How does endocytosis facilitate viral entry into host cells?
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What might result from transcriptional errors during viral replication?
What might result from transcriptional errors during viral replication?
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How is the release of some viruses from host cells different from that of others?
How is the release of some viruses from host cells different from that of others?
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What is the main purpose of using PCR or antigen detection tests in viral diagnostics?
What is the main purpose of using PCR or antigen detection tests in viral diagnostics?
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In what condition can a latent virus reactivate within a host cell?
In what condition can a latent virus reactivate within a host cell?
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What role do inclusion bodies play in the context of viral infections?
What role do inclusion bodies play in the context of viral infections?
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What distinguishes the role of antibody tests from PCR or antigen tests in viral diagnostics?
What distinguishes the role of antibody tests from PCR or antigen tests in viral diagnostics?
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Describe the effect of viral infection on host cells that are damaged but not killed.
Describe the effect of viral infection on host cells that are damaged but not killed.
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What is the significance of viral vaccines in the prevention of viral infections?
What is the significance of viral vaccines in the prevention of viral infections?
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How do antiviral drugs function differently compared to antibiotics in treating infections?
How do antiviral drugs function differently compared to antibiotics in treating infections?
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What is the significance of using a seasonal vaccine for influenza?
What is the significance of using a seasonal vaccine for influenza?
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Explain the role of molecular biology techniques in the development of antiviral drugs.
Explain the role of molecular biology techniques in the development of antiviral drugs.
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What distinguishes genetically engineered vaccines from traditional vaccines?
What distinguishes genetically engineered vaccines from traditional vaccines?
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What challenges exist in developing antiviral drugs for emerging viruses?
What challenges exist in developing antiviral drugs for emerging viruses?
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How do public health measures complement the effectiveness of antiviral medications?
How do public health measures complement the effectiveness of antiviral medications?
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What are the potential side effects of using antiviral drugs in treatment?
What are the potential side effects of using antiviral drugs in treatment?
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What role do protease inhibitors play in the treatment of viral infections?
What role do protease inhibitors play in the treatment of viral infections?
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Describe the importance of antiviral drug specificity in treatment plans.
Describe the importance of antiviral drug specificity in treatment plans.
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How can the understanding of viral genome composition aid in antiviral drug development?
How can the understanding of viral genome composition aid in antiviral drug development?
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Study Notes
General Virology
- Viruses are defined as submicroscopic, obligate intracellular parasites that only replicate inside living host cells.
- Viral particles (virions) do not grow or undergo cell division.
- Virions are produced from the assembly of pre-formed viral protein components.
- Viruses vary in size. Sizes range from 15nm to 300 nm.
- Viral shapes include helical, icosahedral and complex.
Viral Structure
- Viruses contain a protein coat called a capsid.
- The capsid is composed of repeating protein subunits called capsomers.
- The capsid encloses the viral nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA).
- Some viruses have an outer envelope made of a lipid bilayer derived from the host cell.
- The envelope may contain glycoproteins that help the virus attach to host cells.
- Examples of viral structures include spikes, nucleocapsids, membranes, and envelopes.
Viral Classification
- Viruses are classified based on their nucleic acid properties.
- Nucleic acids can be single-stranded or double-stranded, linear or circular.
- Nucleic acids can be RNA or DNA.
- The Baltimore classification system groups viruses based on their replication strategy (e.g. DNA viruses, RNA viruses).
Viral Replication
- Viral replication involves several steps: Adsorption (attachment), uptake, uncoating, genomic and protein synthesis, assembly, and release.
- Viruses use a variety of mechanisms for gaining entry into cells. These include endocytosis or fusion with the cell membrane.
- Viral nucleic acid replication may occur by viral or cellular polymerases.
- Some viruses can cause infection that is latent, with the virus genome present in the host cell without causing any apparent harm, then triggering reactivation.
- Viral replication includes steps like adsorption, penetration, uncoating, biosynthesis of viral components (RNA or DNA replication and protein synthesis), assembly (making complete virions), and release (releasing virions). This process varies depending on the specific virus structure.
Viral Infections and effects
- Viral infections can result in cell death and production of new viruses.
- Some infections are abortive, meaning no cell damage and no progeny virus is produced.
- Persistent infections involve release of progeny viruses over a period of time.
- Latent infections involve the viral genome being present in the host cell without causing any apparent harm.
- Viral infections can have various outcomes depending on several factors including the virus, the host's immune response, and the specific tissues affected.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infections
- Viral infections are diagnosed using different methods: Viral genome detection, viral antigen detection, and antibody detection.
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is used for detecting viral genome.
- Immunofluorescence, ELISA, and rapid tests are used for antigen and antibody detection.
- These diagnostic methods are used to determine the presence and type of virus, which is helpful in guiding treatment.
Prevention and Treatment
- Vaccination is a key preventative measure against viral infections.
- Antiviral drugs are available to treat viral infections, but are often quite specific.
- Examples presented include antiviral agents used to treat Herpes,AIDS, Influenza, HCV, and COVID-19.
- Antiviral treatment focuses on inhibiting viral replication, either by targeting specific viral enzymes or by interfering with the viral life cycle.
Clinical case studies
- Grandfather Ali's symptoms are descriptive of a viral infection like influenza, not a bacterial one. This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment.
Summary and general information
- Viruses are responsible for many human infections.
- Viral genomes can be either RNA or DNA.
- Viral replication involves a series steps during infection, ranging from attachment to host cells, to cell entry, biosynthesis and release.
- There are multiple types of viral infections, such as lytic, abortive, persistent and latent infections.
- Laboratory tests are used for the identification and classification of viruses, including techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) , and serological tests.
- Viral infections impact the human body in many ways, ranging from minor inconveniences to severe, life-threatening conditions.
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