Poxviruses and Smallpox Quiz

Poxviruses are a family of large, enveloped viruses with a linear double-stranded DNA genome.

Poxviruses are unique in that they replicate entirely within the cytoplasm of infected cells, unlike most other DNA viruses that use the host cell's nucleus.

Poxviruses are masters at evading the host's immune response. They do this by producing decoy receptors that bind to interferons (IFNs), preventing the activation of antiviral genes.

Smallpox, a devastating disease caused by the variola virus, was the first human disease to be eradicated by a vaccine.

Smallpox transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected individuals, or contact with contaminated objects.

A figure that indicates the average number of people infected by one infected person in a susceptible population.

A type of viral infection that causes a severe rash and flu-like symptoms, known for its high contagiousness and potential for complications.

The ability of a population to resist the spread of an infectious disease due to a high proportion of immune individuals.

A rare and fatal neurological complication of measles that can occur years after the initial infection.

A weakening of the immune system that can occur after a measles infection.

The process by which measles destroys existing immune memory, making the body more susceptible to other infections.

A live, attenuated vaccine that provides long-lasting protection against measles.

A family of viruses that includes dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, known for their transmission by mosquitoes.

A viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can cause a severe, sometimes fatal illness

A viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can cause fever, rash, and joint pain, and in some cases, serious complications like microcephaly in newborns.

A viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can cause fever, headache, and muscle pain.

A new method for vaccine delivery that utilizes a plastic disc equipped with microneedles.

A group of viruses that are enveloped and have a large, linear double-stranded DNA genome.

A devastating viral disease that was eradicated through vaccination efforts.

A weakened, less virulent form of a virus used in vaccines. It replicates in the body, stimulating immunity without causing disease.

A type of vaccine containing inactivated (killed), non-replicating virus. It's safe for immunocompromised individuals but requires multiple doses for full protection.

A vaccine containing a weakened, live virus. It's effective in stimulating mucosal immunity, but can revert to a virulent form.

A process of intentionally infecting a person with a mild form of a disease to induce immunity to a more severe form. It's a precursor to vaccination.

The process of introducing a weakened or inactive version of a pathogen into the body to stimulate an immune response and develop protection against the disease.

The transmission of a pathogen from one species to another, like from animals to humans.

A virus that causes a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans. It's a zoonotic virus, primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals.

A highly contagious virus that infects the gastrointestinal tract, primarily through the fecal-oral route. It can cause poliomyelitis, a paralytic disease.

A family of viruses that include poliovirus, rhinoviruses (common cold), and enteroviruses. They have single-stranded RNA genomes and are non-enveloped.

A method used to track and monitor the spread of a disease. It involves identifying and isolating individuals who have been in contact with infected persons.

A condition that occurs several years after recovery from polio, characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain. It affects individuals who had polio earlier in life.

A cell line derived from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951. It's incredibly important in biomedical research, particularly in the development of polio vaccines.

A viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a zoonotic poxvirus. It typically presents with flu-like symptoms, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

The process of reducing the virulence of a virus, making it less harmful but still capable of inducing immunity. It involves cultivating the virus in different conditions to select weaker strains.

A type of poliovirus that arises from the mutation of the attenuated virus used in the oral polio vaccine. It can transmit to unvaccinated individuals and cause paralytic poliomyelitis.

Dengue is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It is a significant global health concern, with millions of infections occurring annually.

The four distinct serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV-1 to DENV-4) can cause dengue fever, a flu-like illness, or more serious complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) occurs when antibodies, instead of protecting, enhance the dengue virus infection, making it more severe and dangerous.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease that shares similarities with dengue virus, causing mild symptoms in most cases. However, it poses a significant threat to pregnant women, as it can lead to severe birth defects in newborns.

RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract, causing respiratory illnesses, especially in young children. It is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets.

The negative sense RNA genome of RSV means that the genetic information is not directly readable by the host cell. Instead, the viral RNA must be transcribed into a positive sense RNA before it can be used to produce viral proteins.

RSV primarily infects the upper respiratory tract, causing mild symptoms in most people. However, in young children, it can lead to more severe lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure.

Re-infection with RSV is possible, as the immune response to the virus does not provide lifelong immunity.

Wolbachia is a bacterium that naturally infects mosquitoes. Introducing Wolbachia into mosquito populations can reduce dengue virus transmission, providing a potential biological control method for dengue.

Antibodies generated against Zika virus can cross-react with dengue virus, meaning they can bind to dengue virus but not necessarily neutralize it. This cross-reactivity can increase the risk of severe dengue disease following a Zika infection.

A group of viruses that infect a variety of organisms, including humans, pigs, birds, and fish.

The ability of influenza viruses to mix their genetic material, creating new strains that can be more infectious or deadly.

The outer layer of a virus that helps it attach to and enter cells, also called the envelope protein.

A sugar molecule found on the surface of cells that influenza viruses use to bind and enter cells.

A protein found on the surface of influenza viruses that helps them escape from infected cells by breaking down sialic acid.

The process by which viruses are released from infected cells into the environment, spreading infection.

The ability of the body's immune system to resist infection.

The uncontrolled release of immune messengers (cytokines) that can damage tissues and lead to severe illness.

A condition caused by a virus that changes its shape during infection, making it harder for the immune system to recognize and fight it.

A rare but serious condition caused by the immune system overreacting to a vaccine, leading to increased disease severity.

The type of influenza virus that causes seasonal outbreaks of flu, usually occurring in the winter months.

The type of influenza virus that can cause major pandemics, with the potential for widespread infection.

An influenza vaccine that contains a weakened or inactive version of the virus, stimulating the immune system without causing illness.

A type of influenza vaccine that contains a weakened or inactive version of the virus, which stimulates the immune system without causing illness.

A type of influenza vaccine that contains a weakened or inactive version of the virus, stimulating the immune system without causing illness.

Influenza viruses can swap gene segments when they infect the same cell. This creates new viruses with a mix of genes from both original viruses.

The ability of a foreign substance, like an antigen, to trigger an immune response.

The ability of the immune system to recognize and fight off pathogens based on similarities between current and past infections.

A type of avian influenza virus that causes severe disease in birds and can sometimes infect humans.

A virus that can integrate its own genetic material into the host cell's genome, becoming a permanent part of the host's DNA.

Human Endogenous Retroviruses - remnants of ancient retroviral infections integrated into the human genome.

The process by which a virus integrates its genetic material into the host cell's germline, leading to transmission to offspring.

Ancient viruses that are no longer active but whose genetic signatures can be found in the genomes of modern organisms.

The central dogma of Biology states that information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. Retroviruses reverse this flow, converting their RNA into DNA.

Any cell in the body that is not involved in sexual reproduction.

A reassortment of influenza virus RNA segments from different strains, often from avian sources, resulting in a new, pandemic-causing strain with novel HA and NA.

Small-scale changes in the HA and NA proteins of influenza viruses due to point mutations, leading to yearly seasonal outbreaks.

The severe influenza pandemic of 1918, caused by a novel H1N1 strain, which killed millions worldwide. Characterised by a disproportionate mortality rate in healthy adults.

A phenomenon where the immune system's response to a previous influenza infection can provide protection against strains with similar HA, but can sometimes have detrimental effects.

The influenza surface protein that binds to host cells and is a major target for antibody recognition, also driving antigenic drift and shift

The ability of influenza viruses to mutate and evade the immune system, avoiding antibody recognition.

The phenomenon of animal-to-human transmission of infectious diseases, such as influenza, Ebola, and HIV.

Avian influenza viruses often have a distinct sialic acid preference compared to human-infecting influenza viruses, which may contribute to their higher virulence and difficulty in human-to-human transmission.

Influenza A viruses frequently evolve, leading to new strains that require annual updates to influenza vaccines.

The first outpatient AIDS clinic in the United States, established to provide care and support to individuals living with HIV.

The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

The process by which the HIV virus inserts its genetic material into the DNA of a host cell.

The enzyme that converts HIV's RNA into DNA, allowing the virus to integrate into the host's genome.

The ability of HIV to replicate rapidly and mutate frequently, making it difficult for the immune system to control.

The stage of HIV infection where the virus replicates and spreads rapidly, causing flu-like symptoms in many individuals.

The stage of HIV infection following the acute phase, characterized by a gradual decline in CD4+ T cells and a slow progression of the disease.

A protein produced by HIV that is essential for the viral assembly process.

A group of infections that occur more frequently in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS.

The leading cause of death globally among people living with HIV.

A virus that infects koala populations, leading to immunodeficiency and cancer. It can be transmitted vertically (from parent to offspring) and horizontally (through blood, feces, etc.).

Viral sequences that have been incorporated into the genome of a host organism and are passed down through generations.

A process where a viral envelope protein is repurposed by the host to serve a critical function in their biology.

A retroviral envelope protein that has been co-opted by mammals to create a specialized layer of cells in the placenta, crucial for nutrient and waste exchange between mother and fetus.

A family of viruses that includes HIV, characterized by their slow disease progression and single-stranded RNA genome.

The disease caused by HIV, resulting in a weakened immune system and susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

A type of white blood cell that is targeted by HIV, leading to a weakened immune system.

A type of lentivirus found in African monkeys, closely related to HIV.

A type of receptor on host cells that HIV uses, along with CD4, to enter the cell.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is a combination of drugs that targets multiple steps in the HIV lifecycle, preventing the virus from replicating and spreading. It is a life-saving treatment for people living with HIV, reducing the risk of developing AIDS and extending their lifespan.

Treatment as Prevention (TasP) is a strategy based on the principle that people living with HIV who achieve undetectable viral load through ART cannot transmit the virus to others. This approach is essential to prevent further HIV transmission.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication taken by people who are HIV-negative to prevent them from getting infected. It is highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV transmission, especially through sexual activity or injecting drug use.

The "95-95-95" goal is a global target set to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This means achieving 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving treatment, and 95% of those on treatment having undetectable viral load.

The "U=U" (Undetectable = Untransmissible) principle signifies that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load through ART cannot transmit the virus sexually.

A latent HIV reservoir refers to the HIV DNA that persists in the bodies of some individuals on ART, even with suppressed viral load. While ART effectively controls the virus, these latent reservoirs can reactivate and cause rebound viremia if treatment is discontinued.

A mutation in the CCR5 gene, specifically the CCR5-Δ32 variant, prevents the HIV virus from entering immune cells. This mutation offers natural protection against most strains of HIV.