Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a consequence of transcriptional errors in viruses?
What is a consequence of transcriptional errors in viruses?
Which process may contribute to the release of virus particles from infected cells?
Which process may contribute to the release of virus particles from infected cells?
What type of test is primarily used to assess an acute viral infection?
What type of test is primarily used to assess an acute viral infection?
What characterizes latent viral infections, such as those caused by herpes viruses?
What characterizes latent viral infections, such as those caused by herpes viruses?
Signup and view all the answers
Which method is commonly used to detect viral antigens in samples?
Which method is commonly used to detect viral antigens in samples?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during the lysis of an infected cell?
What occurs during the lysis of an infected cell?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the roles of viral vaccines?
What is one of the roles of viral vaccines?
Signup and view all the answers
What can happen to cells infected by certain viruses over time?
What can happen to cells infected by certain viruses over time?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary definition of a virus?
What is the primary definition of a virus?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of envelope glycoproteins on a virus?
What is the function of envelope glycoproteins on a virus?
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes the protein shell that surrounds the nucleic acid of a virus?
What term describes the protein shell that surrounds the nucleic acid of a virus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of nucleic acid may a virus contain?
Which type of nucleic acid may a virus contain?
Signup and view all the answers
What is required for viral penetration into a host cell?
What is required for viral penetration into a host cell?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement correctly describes early and late viral proteins?
Which statement correctly describes early and late viral proteins?
Signup and view all the answers
How do viruses replicate if they have RNA genomes?
How do viruses replicate if they have RNA genomes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which mechanism is NOT involved in viral penetration into host cells?
Which mechanism is NOT involved in viral penetration into host cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes antiviral drugs from antibiotics?
What distinguishes antiviral drugs from antibiotics?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT an example of an antiviral agent?
Which of the following is NOT an example of an antiviral agent?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do we need different influenza vaccines each year?
Why do we need different influenza vaccines each year?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common source of influenza infection?
What is a common source of influenza infection?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about viruses is true?
Which of the following statements about viruses is true?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of vaccine is considered genetically engineered?
Which type of vaccine is considered genetically engineered?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one major difference between viruses and bacteria?
What is one major difference between viruses and bacteria?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes a live attenuated virus vaccine?
Which of the following best describes a live attenuated virus vaccine?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following drugs is NOT used for the treatment of viral infections?
Which of the following drugs is NOT used for the treatment of viral infections?
Signup and view all the answers
What do we refer to when discussing infection prevention measures?
What do we refer to when discussing infection prevention measures?
Signup and view all the answers
What may occur if a virus causes a latent infection?
What may occur if a virus causes a latent infection?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant reason for performing PCR or antigen detection tests?
What is a significant reason for performing PCR or antigen detection tests?
Signup and view all the answers
How do some viruses exit the host cell without killing it?
How do some viruses exit the host cell without killing it?
Signup and view all the answers
In which testing method would you find serum samples analyzed for specific antiviral antibodies?
In which testing method would you find serum samples analyzed for specific antiviral antibodies?
Signup and view all the answers
What may potentially lead to the formation of inclusion bodies in viral infections?
What may potentially lead to the formation of inclusion bodies in viral infections?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following methods is NOT used for antigen detection during viral diagnosis?
Which of the following methods is NOT used for antigen detection during viral diagnosis?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes the common outcome of viral infections characterized by host cell damage versus those that lead to cell death?
What distinguishes the common outcome of viral infections characterized by host cell damage versus those that lead to cell death?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor might contribute to the lack of virus progeny despite viral infection?
Which factor might contribute to the lack of virus progeny despite viral infection?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of capsomers in a virus?
What is the function of capsomers in a virus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about viral genomes is incorrect?
Which of the following statements about viral genomes is incorrect?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines host species and cell tropism for viruses?
What defines host species and cell tropism for viruses?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key requirement for the active process of viral penetration?
What is a key requirement for the active process of viral penetration?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes the characteristics of 'Early' viral proteins?
Which statement best describes the characteristics of 'Early' viral proteins?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the nucleocapsid of a virus consist of?
What does the nucleocapsid of a virus consist of?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of viral glycoproteins?
What is the primary function of viral glycoproteins?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of polymerases do viruses with RNA genomes need?
Which type of polymerases do viruses with RNA genomes need?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following antiviral agents is specifically indicated for the treatment of influenza?
Which of the following antiviral agents is specifically indicated for the treatment of influenza?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the fundamental characteristic that differentiates viruses from bacteria?
What is the fundamental characteristic that differentiates viruses from bacteria?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of vaccine is least likely to elicit a cellular immune response?
Which type of vaccine is least likely to elicit a cellular immune response?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it necessary to develop a new influenza vaccine each year?
Why is it necessary to develop a new influenza vaccine each year?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following conditions is primarily caused by a virus?
Which of the following conditions is primarily caused by a virus?
Signup and view all the answers
Antiviral drugs are designed to target which of the following?
Antiviral drugs are designed to target which of the following?
Signup and view all the answers
In the case of Grandfather Ali, which misconception did he address regarding flu treatment?
In the case of Grandfather Ali, which misconception did he address regarding flu treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of viral genome can be found in viruses?
What type of viral genome can be found in viruses?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is likely to be a common source of influenza infection?
Which of the following is likely to be a common source of influenza infection?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a crucial reason for differentiating between antiviral drugs?
What is a crucial reason for differentiating between antiviral drugs?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
General Virology
- Viruses are defined as submicroscopic, obligate intracellular parasites that only replicate inside living host cells.
- Virions (virus particles) do not grow or undergo division.
- Viral structure includes a protein shell (capsid), containing the nucleic acid (RNA or DNA). Some viruses have an outer envelope made of lipids derived from host cells.
- Viral shapes include helical, icosahedral, and complex.
- Virus size varies significantly, from 15 to 300 nanometers.
- Viral replication involves six key steps: adsorption, penetration, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release.
- Viral infections can cause various effects on host cells, including lysis (host cell death), or converting them into a permanent infected state.
- Viral infections are diagnosed by detecting viral genetic material (DNA or RNA) using PCR, identifying viral antigens, or by detecting antibodies against the virus.
Viral Replication
- Viral replication occurs in six main stages:
- Adsorption: Viruses attach to specific receptors on host cells.
- Penetration: The virus enters the host cell. This involves translocation (movement across the cell membrane), endocytosis (entry in vesicles), or fusion (viral envelope merging with the cell membrane).
- Uncoating: The viral genome is released from the capsid.
- Replication: The viral genome is replicated, and viral proteins are synthesized either using viral or cellular polymerases.
- Assembly: New viral particles are assembled. Sites of assembly may form inclusion bodies.
- Release: The new viral particles are released from the host cell either by exocytosis (budding), or cell lysis.
Viral Classification
- Viruses are classified based on their nucleic acid type (DNA or RNA), strandedness (single or double), linearity (linear or circular), and segmentations. This classification is crucial for understanding viral behavior and developing targeted treatments.
Viral Structure
- Viruses consist of a genetic material (RNA or DNA) enclosed in a protein coat (capsid).
- Some viruses have an additional outer envelope derived from the host cell membrane, which can be crucial for infecting new cells.
- The capsid is composed of protein subunits called capsomeres.
- The nucleic acid determines the virus' genetic properties.
Viral Replication Mechanisms
- Translocation: The entire virion moves across the cell membrane.
- Endocytosis: The virus enters the host cell membrane within vesicles.
- Fusion: The viral envelope fuses with the cell membrane.
Effects of Viral Infections on Cells
- Some viral infections result in host cell death and new virus production (lytic infections).
- Some infections lead to a persistent state where host cells remain infected but are not necessarily killed, or they can cause chronic infections or tumors.
- Certain viruses can exist in a latent state, where the viral genome remains inactive until a trigger activates replication.
Genomic Transcription & Translation
- Mammalian genes only synthesize DNA & RNA in the nucleus; thus, viruses replicating in the cytoplasm must make their own polymerases to replicate and transcribe viral genes. This is a critical aspect of viral pathogenesis.
- Messenger RNA is translated into viral proteins by host ribosomes, or the viral proteins might bring their own polymerases. The "early" proteins are often involved in replication and transcription, while "late" proteins are structural components of the new virions. This distinct timing of protein production is important.
Assembly
- Viral proteins assemble into new viral particles inside the host cell.
- Assembly sites may lead to the formation of inclusion bodies, which aid in diagnosing viral infections. These are visible aggregates of viral proteins inside infected cells.
Release
- Viruses are released via exocytosis through host cell membrane, or cell lysis. Different release mechanisms have differing effects.
Prevention and Treatment
- Vaccination is a key method for preventing viral infections, inducing immunity to specific viral types.
- Antiviral drugs are available but they are highly specific to particular viruses and have limited uses.
Laboratory Diagnosis
- Viral infections are diagnosed using different methods:
- Detecting viral genome using PCR, offering high precision.
- Detecting viral antigens.
- Antibody detection to determine prior infection (used for chronic conditions or past exposure).
Clinical Case
- Grandfather Ali exhibited symptoms suggestive of a viral infection (cold). The incorrect advice to use antibiotics is a crucial point about differentiating viral and bacterial infections. The need for accurate diagnosis before prescribing treatment is paramount.
Summary
- Viruses are microscopic agents that cause human infections.
- Viral genomes comprise DNA or RNA.
- Viral replication requires host cell machinery, frequently with the viral genome being a template for other viral genes.
- The replication cycle can lead to host cell death (lysis).
- Diagnosis often involves detecting viral nucleic acids (PCR), antigens, or antibodies.
- Prevention frequently utilizes vaccines.
- Antiviral medicine exists but tends to be targeted to specific types of viruses.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.