Basic Virology

Infection and Immunity Module

Lectured By:
Carlo Paolo C. Adrillana RT, MD

Objective:
- Describe the general properties of

viruses.
- Briefly explain the replication of RNA
and DNA viruses.
- Outline the classification of medically
important viruses.
- Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections

Definition
Virus: Small living particles that can

infect cells and change how the cells

functions.
Virion: A complete virus particle with
its DNA or RNA core and protein coat as
it exits outside the cell. Also called a
infectious viral particle.

 Viriod: Nucleic acid without protein

coat. Small infectious agent of plants.

Prions: A disease causing agent that is
neither bacterial nor fungal nor viral and
contains no genetic materials.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
VIRUSES
Obligate intracellular parasites*
Contain a single type of nucleic acid,

either DNA or RNA

Contain a protein coat (sometimes
itself enclosed by an envelope of lipids,
proteins, and carbohydrates) that
surrounds the nucleic acids - CAPSID

 Multiply inside living cells by using

the synthesizing machinery of the cell

Cause the synthesis of specialized
structures that can transfer the viral
nucleic acid to other cells.

HOST RANGE
Refers to the spectrum of host cells the virus can
infect

Bacteriophages or phages- viruses that infect

bacteria
Host range of a virus is determined by the virus
requirements for its specific attachment to the
host cell and the availability within the potential
host of cellular factors required for viral
multiplication

VIRAL SIZE
Determined with the aid of electron microscopy
Range from 20 to 1000 nm in length.

VIRAL STRUCTURE
A virion is a complete, fully developed, infectious
particle.
Composed of nucleic acid, and surrounded by a

protein coat
Viruses are classified by differences of these
protein coats.

VIRAL STRUCTURE
NUCLEIC ACID
Have either DNA or RNA, but never both

Can be single stranded or double

stranded
Can be linear or circular
Amount varies from a few thousand
nucleotides to as many as 250,000
nucleotides.

VIRAL STRUCTURE
CAPSID AND ENVELOPE
The nucleic acid of a virus is surrounded

by a protein coat called the capsid

Each capsid is composed of protein
subunits called capsomeres.
The arrangement

of capsomeres is
characteristic of a particular type of virus
(ICOSAHEDRAL or HELICAL)

VIRAL STRUCTURE
Some viruses have capsid covered by an

envelope.
Some envelopes are covered

by spikes (are
carbohydrate-protein complexes that project
from the surface of the envelope)that are used
by viruses to attach to host cells.

Nonenveloped viruses capsids are not

covered by an envelope

VIRAL STRUCTURE
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY
Different morphological types are based on the capsid

architecture
HELICAL VIRUSES
The viral nucleic acid is found within a hollow,
cylindrical capsid that has a helical structure.

Ex. Viruses that cause rabies and ebola

POLYHEDRAL VIRUSES
The capsid is in the shape of icosahedron

Ex. Adenovirus, poliovirus

VIRAL STRUCTURE
ENVELOPED VIRUSES
Are

roughly spherical.

Ex. Influenzavirus (enveloped helical virus),

herpes simplex virus (enveloped polyhedral)
COMPLEX VIRUSES
Most bacterial viruses

Ex. Bacteriophages (have capsids to w/c

additional structures are attached), Poxvirus

Helical Viruses

Polyhedral Viruses

ENVELOPED VIRUSES

Complex Viruses

DEFINITION:
Taxonomy organization of organism

based on presumed natural relationship.

Classification arrangement of
organisms into groups based on similar
characteristics, evolutionary or ancestry.
Nomenclature name given to each
organism.

TAXONOMY OF VIRUSES
Families of viruses are based on
Nucleic acid type

Strategy for replication

Morphology

CLassification
Based on:

1. Viral morphology
-Size, Shape, presence of envelope

2. Genome properties
-DNA/RNA, size, strandedness,
linear/circular

3. Physicochemical properties

4. Virus protein properties

5. Genome organization and replication
6. Antigenic properties
7. Biologic properties
-Mode of transmission, vector, tissue
tropism

Nomenclature
Family: - viridae
e.g. Herpesviridae
Sub family: - virinae
e.g. betaherpesvirinae
Genus virus
e.g. Herpes simplex virus

Virus Families
Single-stranded DNA,

nonenveloped viruses
Parvoviridae
Human

parvovirus

 Double-stranded DNA,

nonenveloped viruses
Mastadenovirus
Respiratory infections in humans

 Double-stranded DNA,

nonenveloped viruses

- Papillomavirus
(human wart virus)

- Polyomavirus

 Double-stranded DNA, enveloped

viruses
Orthopoxvirus (vaccinia and smallpox viruses)
Molluscipoxvirus
Smallpox, molluscum contagiosum, cowpox

 Double-stranded DNA, enveloped

viruses
Simplexvirus (HHV1 and HHV 2)*
Varicellavirus (HHV 3)*
Lymphocryptovirus (HHV 4)
Cytomegalovirus (HHV 5)*
Roseolovirus (HHV 6)*
HHV 7

Kaposi's sarcoma (HHV 8)

Some herpesviruses

can remain latent in host cells*

 Double-stranded DNA, enveloped

viruses
Hepadnavirus (Hepatitis B virus)
Use reverse transcriptase to

produce DNA from mRNA

Hepatitis B. This female Cambodian

patient presented with a distended
abdomen due to a hepatoma resulting from
chronic hepatitis B infection.

 Single-stranded RNA, + strand,

nonenveloped
Enterovirus
Enteroviruses include

poliovirus and coxsackievirus

Rhinovirus*
Hepatitis A virus*

 Single-stranded RNA, + strand,

nonenveloped
Hepatitis E virus
Norovirus (Norwalk agent) causes gastroenteritis

 Single-stranded RNA, + strand,

enveloped
Alphavirus
Alphaviruses are transmitted by arthropods

Rubivirus (rubella virus)

 Single-stranded RNA, + strand,

enveloped
Arboviruses can replicate in arthropods; include

yellow fever, dengue, SLE, and West Nile viruses

Hepatitis C virus

Yellow fever

When Pamela Anderson publicly disclosed her diagnosis with

hepatitis C in 2002, it made many women rethink getting a tattoo.

 Single-stranded RNA, + strand,

enveloped
Coronavirus
Upper respiratory infections

 Single-stranded RNA, strand,

enveloped
Vesiculovirus
Lyssavirus (rabies virus)
Cause numerous animal diseases

 Single-stranded RNA, strand,

enveloped
Filovirus
Enveloped, helical viruses
Ebola and Marburg viruses

Ebola, 2003, Kelle, Congo.

Patient presenting with bleeding
gums, a sign of haemorrhagic
diathesis

 Single-stranded RNA, strand,

enveloped
Paramyxovirus
Causes parainfluenza, mumps, and Newcastle

disease
Morbillivirus

 Single-stranded RNA, strand,

enveloped
Hepatitis D virus
Depends on coinfection with Hepadnavirus

 Multiple RNA strands, strands

Influenzavirus (Influenza viruses A and B)
Influenza C virus
Envelope spikes can

agglutinate RBCs

 Multiple RNA strands, strand,

Bunyavirus (California Encephalitis virus)
Hantavirus
Causes hemorrhagic fever

 Multiple RNA strands, strand

Arenavirus
Helical capsids are RNA-containing granules
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever and Lassa Fever

 Two RNA strands, produce DNA

Lentivirus (HIV)
Oncogenic viruses
Use reverse transcriptase to produce DNA from

viral genome
Includes all RNA tumor viruses

 Double-stranded RNA,

nonenveloped
Reovirus (Respiratory Enteric Orphan)
Rotavirus
Mild respiratory infections and gastroenteritis

Colorado tick fever

DNA VIRUSES

HHAPPPy
1. Herpes
2. Hepadna
3. Adeno
4. Papova
5. Parvo
6. Pox

RNA VIRUSES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Toga
Corona
Retro
Picorna
Calici
Reo

7. Orthomyxo
8. Paramyxo
9. Rhabdo
10. Bunya
11. Arena
12. Filo

Most DNA viruses are double-stranded,

Most are single-stranded (half are +
show icosahedral symmetry, replicate in
stranded, half -), enveloped, show helical
the nucleus
capsid symmetry, & replicate in the
Except for:
cytoplasm
Parvoviridae that has a single
Except for:
strand of DNA
Reoviridae are double stranded
Poxviridae that has a complex DNA
3 are nonenveloped: Picorna, Calici,
and does not have icosahedral
& Reoviridae
symmetry
5 have icosahedral symmetry: Reo,
3 have envelopes:
Picorna, Flavi, Calici (Rhabdo has
Herpes, hepadna, Pox
helical symmetry but is shaped like
Naked:
a bullet), Toga
Papova, Adeno, Parvo
2 undergo replication in the
nucleus: Retro and Orthomyxo

GROWING VIRUSES
Viruses must be grown in living cells
Bacteriophages form plaques on lawn of bacteria
Animal viruses maybe grown in living animals or in

embryonated eggs
Animal and plants viruses may be grown in cell culture

VIRAL MULTIPLICATION
For a virus to multiply , it must invade a

host cell and take over the hosts metabolic

machinery
MULTIPLICATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES
2 Mechanisms:

Lytic cycle-

ends with lysis and death of the

host cell

Ex. Multiplication of T-even bacteriophage in E.coli

Lysogenic cycle-

the host cell remains alive

The Lytic Cycle

Fig. 13.10
Attachment- phage attaches by tail fibers to host
cell
Penetration- Phage lysozyme opens cell wall, tail
sheath contracts to force tail core and DNA into cell
Biosynthesis- Production of phage DNA and
proteins
Maturation- Assembly of phage particles
Release- Phage lysozyme breaks cell wall

Bacterial
cell wall

Bacterial
chromosome

Capsid

DNA
Capsid

Sheath
Tail fiber

1 Attachment:
Phage attaches
to host cell.

Base plate
Pin
Cell wall

Tail

Plasma membrane

2 Penetration:

Phage pnetrates
host cell and
injects its DNA.

Sheath contracted

Tail core

3 Biosynthesis:

Phage DNA directs

synthesis of viral
components by the
host cell
Figure 13.10.1

Tail
DNA

4 Maturation:

Viral components
are assembled into
virions.

Capsid

5 Release:

Host cell lyses and

new virions are
released.

Tail fibers

Figure 13.10.2

The Lysogenic Cycle

The Lysogenic Cycle

Figure 13.12

The Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic phages are also called temperate phages
3 Results in Lysogenic Cycle
Lysogenic cells are immune to reinfection by the same
phage
Phage conversion- the host cell exhibit new properties
Specialized Transduction mediated by lysogenic
phage that packages bacterial DNA along with its own
DNA in the same capsid but only certain genes can be
transferred.

Specialized Transduction
Prophage

gal gene

Bacterial DNA

1 Prophage exists in galactose-using host

(containing the gal gene).
Galactose-positive
donor cell
gal gene

2 Phage genome excises, carrying

with it the adjacent gal gene from
the host.

gal gene

3 Phage matures and cell lyses, releasing

phage carrying gal gene.

4 Phage infects a cell that cannot utilize

galactose (lacking gal gene).
Galactose-negative
recipient cell

5 Along with the prophage, the bacterial gal

gene becomes integrated into the new
hosts DNA.
6 Lysogenic cell can now metabolize
galactose.
Galactose-positive recombinant cell
Figure 13.13

MULTIPLICATION OF ANIMAL
VIRUSES
ATTACHMENT- viruses attaches to cell wall

membrane
PENETRATION- by endocytosis or fusion
UNCOATING- by viral or host enzymes
BIOSYNTHESIS- Production of nucleic acid
and proteins
MATURATION Nucleic acid and capsid
proteins assemble
RELEASE- By budding (enveloped viruses) or
rupture

Attachment, Penetration, and

Uncoating

BIOSYNTHESIS OF DNA
VIRUSES
DNA containing viruses replicate their

DNA in the nucleus of the host cell by

using viral enzymes.
They synthesize their capsid and other
proteins in the cytoplasm by using
host cell enzymes

Multiplication of DNA Virus

Papovavirus

1 Virion attaches to host cell

7 Virions are released

Host cell
DNA
Capsid
DNA

2 Virion penetrates

cell and its DNA is

uncoated

Cytoplasm

6 Virions mature

Capsid proteins

mRNA

5 Late translation;
capsid proteins
are synthesized

4 Late transcription;
DNA is replicated

3 Early transcription and

translation; enzymes are

synthesized
Figure 13.15

BIOSYNTHESIS OF RNA VIRUSES

Several different mechanisms of mRNA formation occur

among different groups of RNA viruses

o VIRAL NUCLEIC ACID

o VIRUS FAMILY

o RNA, + strand

o Picornaviridae
o Togaviridae

o RNA, - strand

o Rhabdoviridae

o RNA, double
stranded

o Reoviridae

o RNA, reverse
transcriptase

o Retroviridae

o SPECIAL FEATURE OF
BIOSYNTHEIS
Viral RNA functions as a
template for synthesis of RNA
polymerase which copies
strand RNA to make mRNA in
cytoplasm
Viral enzyme copies viral RNA
to make mRNA in cytoplasm
Viral enzyme copies strand
RNA to make mRNA in
cytoplasm
Viral enzyme copies viral RNA
to make DNA in cytoplasm;
DNA moves to nucleus.

Pathways of Multiplication for RNA-Containing Viruses

Figure 13.17

VIRUSES AND CANCER

THE TRANSFORMATION OF NORMAL CELLS INTO

TUMOR CELLS
Oncogenes part of the genome that result from cancer-

causing alterations to cellular DNA

Oncogenes can be activated to abnormal functioning by a variety of

agents, including mutagenic chemicals, high-energy radiation, and
virus.

Oncogenic viruses or oncovirus viruses that are capable

of inducing tumors in animals

When tumor cells undergo transformation, they acquire properties

that are distinct from the properties of uninfected cells or from
infected cells that do not form tumors. Antigens acquired are

Tumor specific transplantation antigen(TSTA)- on

their cell surface
2. T-antigen- in their nucleus.
1.

Oncogenic Viruses
Oncogenic DNA Viruses Oncogenic RNA viruses
Adenoviridae
Retroviridae
Herpesviridae
Viral RNA is
Poxviridae
transcribed to DNA
which can integrate
Papovaviridae
into host DNA
Hepadnaviridae

HTLV 1

HTLV 2

VIRUSES AND CANCER

DNA ONCOGENIC VIRUSES
Are found within several families of DNA-containing

viruses
Examples:
Epstein-Barr virus

Causes infectious mononucleosis, Burkitts lymphoma, and

nasopharyngeal CA

Hepatitis

B virus

Liver CA (98% higher in people with prior HBV infection)

VIRUSES AND CANCER

RNA ONCOGENIC VIRUSES
Only the oncoviruses in the family Retroviridae cause

cancer
Examples are the human T-cell leukemia viruses
(HTLV-1 and HTLV-2)
The ability of retroviruses to induce tumors is related to
their production of a reverse transcriptase, some contain
oncogenes, others contain promoter of oncogenes.

LATENT VIRAL INFECTION

A virus can remain in equilibrium with the host and

not actually produce disease for a long period.

Most remain in the nerves, wait for decrease hosts
resistance then perform a sudden attack
Examples:
Herpesviruses
Herpes simplex virus
Chikenpox virus- varicella shingles

PERSISTENT VIRAL INFECTION

A disease process that occurs gradually over a long
period
Examples:
Measles virus- responsible for a rare form of encephalitis

called SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS.

Refer to table 13.5 for more examples

Detectable infectious virus gradually builds up

over a long period, rather than appearing
suddenly.

PRIONS
Coined from the name proteinaceous infectious particle
Example:
spongiform encephalopathies (Mad Cow disease)

Kuru
Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseGerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome
Fatal familial insomnia

Transmission maybe genetic, from feeding

scrapie(neurological disease in sheep) infected sheep meat

to cattle, and eating undercooked beef from infected cattle.
CJD has been transmitted with transplanted nerve tissue
and contaminated surgical instruments.

 Plant Viruses

Plant viruses
enter through
wounds or via
insect bites
Viroids
Viroids *are
infectious
RNA; potato
spindle tuber
disease
Figure 13.22

MEDICALLY IMPORTANT VIRUSES

I.

DNA ENVELOPED VIRUS

Herpes Virus

A.

Includes HSV I, HSV II, VZV, EBV

Cause latent infection, reactivated by immunosuppression
or previous infection
Diagnosis:
Tzanck smear - positive if with intranuclear inclusions or
multinucleated epithelial giant cells

1.

Herpes simplex virus I

Diseases: herpes labialis*, gingivostomatitis, conjunctivitis,
keratitis, encephalitis
Mode of transmission: direct contact, via saliva

2. Herpes simplex virus II

Diseases: Genital herpes, neonatal herpes, neonatal

meningitis
Mode of transmission: sexual contact, passage through birth
canal

Varicella-Zoster virus

3.

Diseases: primary infection Chickenpox

secondary infection - Shingles or herpes Zoster
Mode of transmission: respiratory droplet
Incubation period is 2-3 weeks
Primary infection confers partial immunity
Latent infection resides in the dorsal root ganglia
Reactivation is because of stress, sunlight, previous
infection or immunocompromised state

Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes

Simplex 2
Human herpes virus 1 and HHV-2
Cold sores or fever blisters (vesicles on lips)

Herpes gladiatorum (vesicles on skin)

Herpes whitlow (vesicles on fingers)
Herpes encephalitis (HHV-2 has up to a 70% fatality rate)

HHV-1 can remain latent in trigeminal nerve ganglia.

HHV-2 can remain latent in sacral nerve ganglia.
Acyclovir may lessen symptoms.

Genital Herpes
Herpes simplex virus 2 (Human herpesvirus 2 or

HHV2)
Neonatal herpes transmitted to fetus or newborns
Recurrences from viruses latent in nerves
Suppression: Acyclovir or valacyclovir

Herpesviruses
Varicella-zoster virus

(human herpes virus 3)

Transmitted by the
respiratory route
Causes pus-filled vesicles
Virus may remain latent in
dorsal root ganglia

Shingles
Reactivation of

latent HHV-3
releases viruses
that move along
peripheral
nerves to skin.

Measles (Rubeola)

4. Epstein Barr virus

Diseases: Infectious mononucleosis*, Burkitts lymphoma

Mode of transmission : via saliva
Enter the pharyngeal epithelium cervical lymph nodes(B
cells) spleen, liver

B. Hepatitis B virus

Diseases: Acute/Chronic viral hepatitis

Hepatocellular carcinoma
Mode of transmission: exposure to blood/blood
components/body fluids, sexual contact, vertical
transmission
S/S: fever, malaise, abdominal pain, jaundice
Hepatitis hepatic cirrhosis hepatocellular Ca

Human Herpes Virus 4 Infections

Epstein-Barr virus (HHV4)
Infectious Mononucleosis
Childhood infections are asymptomatic.
Transmitted via saliva
Characterized by proliferation of monocytes
Burkitts lymphoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Cancer in immunosuppressed individuals, and malaria
and AIDS patients

Cytomegalovirus Infections
Cytomegalovirus (Human herpesvirus 5)
Infected cells swell (cyto-, mega-)

Latent in white blood cells

May be asymptomatic or mild
Transmitted across the placenta; may cause mental

retardation
Transmitted sexually, by blood, or by transplanted tissue

II. DNA NON-ENVELOPED VIRUS

A. Adenovirus

B.

Diseases: Pharyngitis, pneumonia, gastroenteritis

Mode of transmission: respiratory droplet
Diagnosis: Fluorescent antibody test, complement fixation test

Papilloma virus

Diseases: Papilloma*, condyloma acuminata, cancer of

the cervix and penis

Mode of transmission: direct contact, sexual contacttype

16 and 18)

Has tropism for squamous cells

Warts spontaneously resolved in 1-2 yrs

Diagnosis: hybridization tests, histopathologic study, Pap

smear

Genital Warts
Human papillomaviruses
Treatment: Imiquimod to stimulate interferon
HPV 16 causes cervical cancer and cancer of the penis.
DNA test is needed to detect cancer-causing strains.
Vaccination against HPV strains

C. Smallpox virus

Disease: smallpox
Mode of transmission: respiratory route

III. RNA ENVELOPED

A. Influenza virus

Has the ability to produce epidemics due to antigenic drift/shift*

The capsule contains glycoproteins Hemagglutinin(HA) and
Neuraminidase(NA)
HA has tropism for sialic acid which is present in the cm of rbc and respiratory
tract epithelium. This is needed for adsorption
NA hydrolyzes neuraminic acid which is a component of mucin
Only types A,B and C infect human
Diseases: Flu, pneumonia
S/S: fever, chills, headache, myalgia, arhtralgia resolves in 3-7 days
Complication: secondary bacterial pneumonia
Mode of transmission: respiratory route
Prevention: vaccination(elderly, immunocompromised, health workers),
amantadine
Treatment: amantadine

Poxviruses
Smallpox (variola)
Smallpox virus (orthopox

virus)
Variola major has 20%

mortality
Variola minor has <1%

mortality

Monkeypox
Prevention by smallpox

vaccination

Influenza
Chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches (no

intestinal symptoms).
1% mortality due to secondary bacterial infections.
Treatment: Amantadine.
Vaccine for high-risk individuals.

Influenza
Hemagglutinin (H) spikes

used for attachment to

host cells.
Neuraminidase (N) spikes
used to release virus from
cell.

Influenza
Antigenic shift
Changes in H and N spikes
Probably due to genetic recombination between different
strains infecting the same cell
Antigenic drift
Mutations in genes encoding H or N spikes
May involve only 1 amino acid.
Allows virus to avoid mucosal IgA antibodies.

Influenza Serotypes
A: Causes most epidemics, H3N2, H1N1, H2N2
B: Moderate, local outbreaks
C: Mild disease

B. Measles virus
Disease: measles
Mode of transmission: respiratory droplet
Respiratory tract lymphohematogenous dissemination

skin (CMI is triggered) maculopapular rash which starts

from the head down
Complications: pneumonia, encephalitis, gastroenteritis
Prevention: measles vaccine, MMR
Mumps virus

C.

Disease: Parotitis, orchitis

Mode of transmission: respiratory route
Has tropism for parotid gland, pancreas, meninges, ovaries and
teste
Complication: sterility
Prevention: MMR

Measles (Rubeola)
Measles virus
Transmitted by respiratory route.
Macular rash and Koplik's spots.

Prevented by vaccination.
Encephalitis in 1 in 1,000 cases.
Subacute sclerosing

panencephalitis in 1 in 1,000,000
cases.

Mumps
Mumps virus
Enters through

respiratory tract
Infects parotid glands
Prevented with MMR
vaccine

D. Rubella virus
Belongs to Togaviridae

Disease: Rubella
Mode of transmission: respiratory route, vertical

transmission
Complication: congenital rubella syndrome deafness,
cataract, heart defect, mental retardation
Prevention: MMR

Rubella (German Measles)

Rubella virus
Macular rash and fever

Congenital rubella

syndrome causes severe

fetal damage.
Prevented by
vaccination

 A 1905 list of skin rashes included (1)measles, (2)scarlet

fever, (3)rubella, (4)Filatow-Dukes (mild scarlet fever),

and
(5)Fifth Disease: Erythema infectiosum

Human parvovirus B19 produces milk flu-like symptoms and

facial rash.

Roseola
Human herpesvirus 6 causes a high fever and rash, lasting
for 1-2 days.

F. Human Immunodeficiency virus

Disease: AIDS
Mode of transmission: exchange of body fluids via sexual,
parenteral, transplacental, or peinatal routes
Diagnosis:
ELISA screening test
Western blotting - confirmatory test

G. Hepatitis C virus

Diseases: Acute/Chronic hepatitis, hepatocellular Ca

Mode of transmission:
Most common viral hepatitis transmitted via blood
transfusion
sexual contact, vertical transmission

E.

Rabies virus

Belongs to Rhabdoviridae; only virus in the family that infect human

May infect any warm-blooded animal
Disease: Rabies encephalitis
Mode of transmission: bite of infected animal, licking on an open
wound or intact mucus membrane

Introduction into the skin or mucus membrane local

multiplication of the virus migration through the nerve CNS
salivary gland

S/S: once developed will rapidly progress to death in 1-2 wks

Clinical stage:
1. Prodrome - fever, headache, nausea, sore throat, fatigue, painful
bite site, fasciculations
2. Acute encephalitis - Confusion, meningismus, seizure
3. Classic brainstem encephalitis *- hydrophobia, frothing of the
mouth
4. Death - secondary to respiratory center dysfunction
Prevention: vaccination of pets
Treatment: Rabies Ig, Rabies vaccine

Rabies Virus (Rhabdovirus)

Transmitted by animal bite.
Virus multiplies in skeletal muscles, then brain cells causing

encephalitis.
Initial symptoms may include muscle spasms of the mouth and
pharynx and hydrophobia.
Furious rabies: Animals are restless then highly excitable.
Paralytic rabies: Animals seem unaware of surroundings.
Preexposure prophylaxis: Infection of human diploid cells vaccine.
Postexposure treatment: Vaccine plus immune globulin.

Rabies Virus (Rhabdovirus)

Rabies Virus (Rhabdovirus)

H. Hepatitis D virus

Needs the surface antigen of HBV for infection

(superinfection or coinfection)
Same disease course as HBV

IV. RNA NON-ENCAPSULATED VIRUS

A. Poliovirus

Diseases: poliomyelitis, meningitis

Mode of transmission: feco-oral route
Destroy anterior horn cells leading to paralysis and atrophy
of disuse

Coxsackie virus

B.

Belong to Picornaviridae
Diseases: pericarditis, myocarditis, meningitis
Mode of transmission: feco-oral route

Poliomyelitis
Poliovirus
Transmitted by ingestion.
Initial symptoms: Sore throat and nausea
Viremia may occur; if persistent, virus can enter the CNS;

destruction of motor cells and paralysis occurs in <1% of

cases.
Prevention is by vaccination (enhanced-inactivated polio
vaccine).

Poliomyelitis

C. Rotavirus

Belongs to Reoviridae
Disease: Most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children
Mode of transmission: feco-oral

D. Rhinovirus

Belongs to Picornaviridae
Disease: common cold
Mode of transmission: respiratory droplet, hand-to-nose
Has 100 serotypes*
Replicate well at low temperatures

Hepatitis A virus

E.

Belongs to Picornaviridae
Disease: Acute Hepatitis
Mode of transmission: feco-oral
Resolves in 2-4 wks in most number of cases

Viral Gastroenteritis
Rotavirus:
3 million cases annually
1-2 day incubation; 1 week illness

Norovirus:
50% of U.S. adults have antibodies
1-2 day incubation; 1-3 day illness

Treated with rehydration

F. Hepatitis E virus

Clinically resembles HAV

Common in pregnant women

Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviruses are arthropod-

borne viruses that belong

to several families.
Prevention is by
controlling mosquitoes.

Arboviral Encephalitis
Encephalitis

Reservoir

Mosquito vector U.S. distribution

Western equine Birds, horses

Culex

Eastern equine

Birds, horses

Aedes, Culiseta

St. Louis

Birds

Culex

California

Small
mammals

Aedes

West Nile

Birds,

Culex, Aedes

mammals

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Pathogen

Portal of
entry

Reservoir

Yellow fever Arbovirus

Skin

Monkeys

Dengue

Skin

Humans

Arbovirus

Marburg,
Ebola,
Lassa

Filovirus,
arenavirus

Mucous
Probably
membranes fruit bats;
other
mammals

Hantavirus
pulmonary
syndrome

Bunyavirus Respiratory Field mice

tract

Method of
transmission
Aedes
aegypti
Aedes
aegypti;
A. Albopictus
Contact with
blood

Inhalation

Viral Pneumonia
Viral pneumonia as a complication of influenza,

measles, or chickenpox.
Viral etiology suspected if no cause determined.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Common in infants; 4,500 deaths annually
Causes cell fusion (syncytium) in cell culture.
Symptoms: Coughing
Diagnosis by serologic test for viruses and antibodies
Treatment: Ribavirin

Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis may result from drug or chemical toxicity, EB

virus, CMV, or the hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis
Transmission

Causative agent

Chronic
liver
disease?

Vaccine?

Hepatitis A

Fecal-oral

Picornaviridae

No

Inactivated
virus

Hepatitis B

Parenteral,
STD

Hepadnaviridae

Yes

Recombinant

Hepatitis C

Parenteral

Filoviridae

Yes

No

Hepatitis D

Pareteral, HBV
coinfection

Deltaviridae

Yes

HBV vaccine

Hepatitis E

Fecal-oral

Caliciviridae

No

No

Hepatitis B Virus

LAB DIAGNOSIS OF VIRAL INFECTIONS

Tissue Culture
Most commonly used
Fluorescent Antibody staining
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Direct or indirect
Nucleic Acid Probes
Probes used are complementary to the nucleic acid of interest
Probes are linked to enzymes which catalyze colored reaction
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Serology
Recent infection - increase IgM, 4x increase of IgG
Immunity - rise in IgG

THE END