MycoViro - Complete Handouts (AMCC)
MycoViro - Complete Handouts (AMCC)
MycoViro - Complete Handouts (AMCC)
BASIC MYCOLOGY
FUNGI multicellular heterotrophic members of the plant kingdom that lack roots & stems & are referred
to as THALLOPHYTES
- bec fungi are eukaryotic organisms whereas bacteria are prokaryotic they differ in several
fundamental respects (Table 47-1)
** Eukaryotes ** Prokaryotes
- larger ribosomes (80s) - smaller ribosomes (70s)
- possess a true nucleus w/ nuclear membrane - noncompartmentalized
- compartmentalized (w/ membrane bound organelles) - ex. Bacteria
-ex. Fungi, algae, viruses, protozoa, animal & plant cells
2 Types of fungi:
1. yeasts = grow as single cells that reproduce by asexual budding
2. molds = grow as long filaments (hyphae) & form a mat (mycelium)
@ Several important fungi are thermally DIMORPHIC (they form different structures at different temp.)
exist as molds in the saprophytic, free-living state at ambient temp
as yeasts in host tissues at body temp
@ Most fungi are obligate aerobes, some are facultative anaerobes; but NONE are OBLIGATE
ANAEROBES.
@ ALL fungi REQUIRE a preformed organic source of CARBON, hence their frequent association w/
decaying matter.
@ Normal habitat of fungi is the ENVIRONMENT; except Candida albicans (w/c is a part of human
normal flora)
@ Though we focus on the fungi that are human pathogens, it should be remembered that fungi are used
in the production of important foods (ex. bread, cheese, wine, & beer). Fungi are also responsible for the
spoilage of certain foods, fruits, grains, vegetables, & jams, bec molds can grow in a drier, more acidic, &
higher osmotic pressure environment than bacteria.
II. PATHOGENESIS
Granulomas = is the form/response to infection w/ many fungi; are produced in the
major systemic fungal diseases
= involves a cell-mediated immune response w/c is suppressed
DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY SKIN TEST response to certain fungal Ags injected
intradermally
= a (+) skin test indicates exposure to the fungal Ag not a current infection
Fungi do not have endotoxin in their cell walls & do not produce bacterial-type exotoxins
Intact skin is an effective host defense against certain fungi
Fatty acids in the skin inhibit dermatophyte growth
Hormone-associated skin changes at puberty limit ringworm of the scalp caused by
Trichophyton
Normal flora of the skin & mucous membranes suppress fungi = when NF are inhibited
ex by antibiotics, overgrowth of fungi such as C. albicans can occur
= mucous membrane of the nasopharynx trap inhaled fungi
@ The transmission & geographic locations of some important fungi are described in Table 47-2:
Table 47-2 transmission of some important fungi
Genus Habitat Form of Organism Portal of Entry Endemic Geographic
Transmitted Location
Coccidioides Soil Arthrospores Inhalation into lungs Southwestern USA AND
Latin America
Histoplasma Soil (associated Micronidia Inhalation to lungs Mississipi and Ohio River
w/ bird feces) Valleys
Blastomyces Soil Microconidia Inhalation to lungs States east of Mississipi
River
Paracoccidioides Soil Uncertain Inhalation to lungs Latin America
Cryptococcus Soil (associated Yeast Inhalation to lungs Worldwide
w/ pigeon feces)
Aspergillus Soil and Conidia Inhalation into lungs Worldwide
vegetation
Candida Human body Yeast Normal flora of skin, Worldwide
mouth, gastrointestinal
tract, and vagina
1. direct microscopic examination = specimen used are sputum, lung biopsy material, & skin
scrapings depends on the finding characteristic asexual spores, hyphae, or yeasts in the
light microscope
= the specimen is either treated with 10% KOH to dissolve tissue material, leaving the
alkali-resistant fungi intact
= stained w/ special fungal stains
= diagnostically important findings made by direct examination are:
A. the spherules of Coccidioides immitis
B. the wide capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans seen in India Ink preparation of
spinal fluid
2. culture of the organism = fungi are frequently cultured on Sabourauds agar
3. serologic tests = test for the presence of Abs in the patients serum or spinal fluid are useful in
diagnosing the systemic mycoses; but less so in diagnosing other fungal infections
= a significant rise in the Ab titer must be observed to confirm a diagnosis
= complement fixation test is most frequenly used
= in cryptococcal meningitis, the presence of the polysaccharise capsular Ags of
Cryptococcus neoformans in the spinal fluid can be detect by the latex agglutinatiojn test
V. ANTIFUNGAL THERAPY
@ Amphotericin B = most important antifungal drug; used in the treatment of a variety of
disseminated fungal diseases
MYCOSES
@ CLASSIFICATION / CATEGORIES:
I. SUPERFICIAL OR CUTANEOUS MYCOSES are fungal infection that infects only superficial
keratinized structures (the hair, skin & nails ) w/o invasion of the tissue
A. Dermatomycoses or Dermatophytoses = are caused by fungi (Dermatophytes); most common
fungal infections of humans & are usually referred to as TINEA or ringworm
= are chronic infections favored by heat & humidity
= characterized by pruritic papules & vesicles, broken hairs, & thickened, broken nails
Examples: Tinea corporis ringworm of the body
Tinea capitis ringworm of the scalp & hair
Tinea unguimm ringworm of the nails
Tinea pedis ringworm of the feet (Athletes foot)
Tinea barbae ringworm of the beard
Tinea cruris ringworm of the groin
= only three fungi are associated with Dermatomycoses: (spread from infected persons by
direct contact)
1. Epidermophyton affecting skin & nails
2. Microsporum affecting skin & hair; spread from animals such as dogs & cats
- this indicates that to prevent reinfection, the animal must be treated
also
3. Trichophyton affecting skin, hair, & nails
= Lab Dx:
1. scrapings of skin or nail placed in 10% KOH on a glass slide show hyphae under
microscopy
2. culture on Sabourauds agar at rm temp develop typical hyphae & conidia
= Treatment: antifungal creams (undecylenic acid, miconazole, tolnaftate, etc) or oral
griseofulvin
= Prevention:: centers on keeping skin dry & cool
B. Tinea versicolor or Pityriasis versicolor = skin disease characterized by brownish scaly, itchy
areas caused by Malassezia furfur (New name: Pityrosporum orbicular)
= lesions are usually noticed as hypopigmented areas esp on tanned skin in the
summer; lesions contain both budding yeast cells & hyphae
= usually the infection is asymptomatic
= occurs more frequently in hot, humid weather
= Lab Dx: KOH wet mount, culture is usually done
= Treatment: topical miconazole (but the lesions have a tendency to recur & a
permanent cure is difficult to achieve)
C. Tinea nigra = manifested as light brown to blackish spot due to the melaninlike pigment in the
hyphae; located on the palmar & plantar surfaces caused by Cladosporium or Exophiala
werneckii
= causative agent is found in the soil & transmitted during injury
= Lab Dx: microscopic examination & culture of skin scrapings
= Treatment: topical keratolytic agent ex salicylic acid
D. Piedra = fungal infection of the hair characterized by nodules on the distal shaft
Two Types: a. Black piedra caused by Piedraia tortai
b. White piedra caused by Trichospores beigelii
B. Microsporum
1. M. audouinii velvety aerial mycelium 2 weeks sterile hyphae,terminal chlamydos-
cause of epide- that is colorless to lt gray pores, macroconidia rarely seen-
mic Tinea to tan; reverse tan to bizarre shaped if seen; microconi-
capitis; infected salmon pink dia reare or absent
hair fluoresce
yellow green
using Woods
light
C. Trichophyton
1. T. mentagro- cottony to granular, 7-10 days many round to globose microconi-
phytes white to cream colored dia most commonly in grapelike
to yellow; reverse side clusters or laterally along hyphae
buff to reddish brown spiral hyphae may be seen; macro-
conidia if seen are thin-walled,
smooth,club-shaped & multiseptate
2. T. tonsurans white, tan to yellow or 7-14 days microconidia are teardrop or club-
rust, suidelike to powdery, shaped w/ flat bottoms marcoconi-
wrinkled w/ heaped or dia rare & balloon forms found
sunken center reverse when present
side yellow to tan to
rust red
4. T. violaceum portwine to deep violet 2-3 weeks no conidia as a rule hyphae tor-
colony, may be heaped tuous and tangled
or flat w/ waxy glabrous
surface
5. T. schoenleinii irregularly heaped 2-3 weeks many antler type hyphae (FAVIC
causing FAVUS smooth white to cream CHANDELIER)
severe infection colored w/ radiating
of scalp & hair grooves
6. T. verrucosum glabrous to velvety 2-3 weeks microconidia rare large & teardrop
white rare strains pro- when seen; macroconidia extreme-
duce yellow brown ly rare, but form char rat tail
color, rugal folds w/ types when seen, many chlamydo-
tendency to sunk into spores seen
agar surface
II. SUBCUTANEOUS MYCOSES = are caused by fungi that grow in soil & on vegetation & are
introduced into subcutaneous tissue through trauma
A. Sporotrichosis = also known as rose gardeners disease caused by Sporothrix schenckii w/c is
dimorphic fungus that lives on vegetation:
** Mycelial Phase: Colony-w/in 7 days moist, white leathery colonies appearance,
radiating furrow develop & w/ age the colony takes on a wrinkled appearance;
the white growth darkens & may become brown to black
** Yeast Phase: small, oval to cigar-shaped budding yeast cells (seen in tissue spn)
= Lab Dx:
@ microsopic: hyphae are delicate, septate, exhibit branchings & bear one-celled
pyriform shaped conidia borne bouquetlike
@ in culture: hyphae occur bearing oval conidia in clusters at the tip of slender
conidiophores (resembling a daisy)
= when introduced into the skin, typically by a thorn; it causes a local pustule or ulcer
w/ nodules alon the draining lymphatics
= little systemic illness; lesions may be chronic
= Treatment: oral potassium iodide or ketoconazole
= Prevention: protecting skin when touching plants, moss, & wood
B. Chromoblastomycosis or Chromomycosis = a slowly progressive granulomatous infection that is
caused by several soil fungi
= introduced into the skin through trauma; wartlike lesions w/ crusting abscesses extend
along the lymphatics
= the disease occurs mainly in the tropics & is found on bare feet & legs
= Lab Dx: dark brown, round fungal cells are seen in leukocytes or giant cells
= Treatment: oral flucytosine or thiabendazole, plus local surgery
1. Cladosporium carrionii = long chains of elliptical conidia borne from erect, tall branching
conidiophores
2. Phialophora verrucosa = tubelike or flank-shaped phialides each w/ a distinct collarette
3. Fonsecae compacta = conical heads w/ sympodial arrangement of conidia
Fonsecae pedrosoi
Colonies: All are slow growing & produce heaped up & slightly folded, darkly
pigmented colonies w/ a grayish velvety appearance. The reverse side is jet
black.
III. DEEP OR SYSTEMIC MYCOSES caused by soil fungi & infection is acquired through inhalation;
of the spores of dimorphic fungi
- fungi causing deep mycoses are DIMORPHIC
- they have 2 phases of growth:
A. Yeast phase, tissue phase or parasitic form = takes place at 37C; w/in the lungs
B. Mycelial phase or saprophytic form = take place at room temperature; in the soil
- most lung infections are asymptomatic & self-limited; however, some persons develop
disseminated disease in which the organisms grow in other organs, cause destructive
lesions, & may result in death
- infected persons do not communicate these disease to others
A. Coccidioides
@ Disease: Coccidioides immitis causes coccidioidomycosis
@ Properties:
C. immitis is a dimorphic fungus that exists as a mold in soil & as a sperule in tissue
@ Transmission & Epidemiology:
the fungus is endemic in the arid regions of southwestern USA & Latin America
in soil, it forms hyphae w/ alternating arthrospores & empty cells
arthrospores are very light & are carried by the wind thus they can be inhaled & infect the
lungs
@ Pathogenesis
in the lungs, arthrospores form spherules that are large, thick & are filled w/ endospores
upon the rupture of the wall, endospores are released & differentiate to form new
spherules
the organism can spread by direct extension or via the bloodstream
dissemination indicates some defect in cell-mediated immunity; most persons who
develop a positive skin test to infection develop immunity to spread & to reinfection
@ Clinical Findings:
some infected persons have an influenzalike illness w/ fever & cough; 50% have changes
in the lungs as seen in x-rays, 10% develop erythema nodosum or arthralgias==this
syndrome is called valley fever or desert rheumatism
the incidence of dissemination in Filipinos & blacks is 10 times higher than the usual 1%;
as well as pregnant women in the 3rd trimester have increased dissemination
(EN) erythema nodosum manifests as red, tender nodules on extensor surfaces such as the
shins; it is delayed (cell-mediated) hypersensitivity response to fungal Ags & thus is an
indicator of a good prognosis
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in tissue specimens, spherules are seen microscopically
cultures on Sabourauds agar show hyphae w/ arthrospores (CAUTION: cultures are
highly infectious; precautions against inhaling arthrospores must be taken)
in infected persons, skin tests w/ fungal extracts (coccidioidin or spherulin) cause at least
a 5-mm in duration 48 hours after injection (delayed hypersensitivity reaction)
skin tests become positive w/in 2-4 weeks of infection & remain so for years but are often
negative (anergy) in patients w/ disseminated disease
@ Treatment & Prevention:
no treatment is needed in asymptomatic or mild primary infection
amphotericin B = used for persisting lung lesions or disseminated disease
ketoconazole = also effective in lung disease
no means of prevention except avoiding travel to endemic areas
B. Histoplasma
@ Disease: Histoplasma capsulatum causes histoplasmosis
@ Properties:
is dimorphic fungus that exists as a mold in soil & as yeast in tissue
forms 2 types of asexual spores:
1. tuberculate macroconidia = w/ typical thick walls & fingerlike projections that are
important in laboratory identification
2. microconidia = are smaller, thin, smooth-walled spores that, if inhaled, transmit the
infection
@ Transmission & Epidemiology:
grows in soil, particularly if the soil is heavily contaminated w/ bird droppings
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
inhaled spores are engulfed by macrophages & develop into yeast forms
in tissues, H. capsulatum occurs as an oval budding yeast inside macrophages
the organisms spread widely throughout the body, but most infections remain
asymptomatic bec the small granulomatous foci heal by calcification
w/ intense exposure, pneumonia may become clinically manifest
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in tissue biopsies or bone marrow aspirates, oval yeast cells w/in macrophages are seen
microscopically
cultures on sabourauds agar show typical structures (ex. tuberculate macroconidia)
skin test w/ fungal extract (histoplasmin) becomes positive (induration) w/in 2-3 wks of
infection & remains so for years
2 serologic tests are most useful:
1. complement fixation (CF) = 1:32 Ab titer w/ yeast phase Ags is diagnostic
= CF titers fall when the disease becomes inactive & rise in
disseminated disease
2. immunodiffusion (ID) = detects precipitating Abs (precipitins) by forming 2 bands,
M and H, in an agar-gel diffusion assay
= more specific but less sensitive than the CF test
@ Treatment & Prevention:
no therapy is needed in asymptomatic or mild primary infection
oral ketoconazole = w/ progressive lung lesions
amphotericin B = treatment of choice in disseminated disease
oral itraconazole = used to treat pulmonary & disseminated disease
C. Blastomyces
@ Disease: Blastomyces dermatitidis causes blastomycosis
@ Properties:
dimorphic fungus that exists as a mold in soil & as a yeast in tissue
the yeast is round w/ doubly refractive wall & a single broad-based bud
@ Transmission & Epidemiology:
endemic in North & Central America & Africa
grows in moist soil rich in organic material, forming hyphae & small pear-shaped conidia
inhalation of the conidia causes human infection
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
infection occurs mainly via the respiratory tract
asymptomatic & mild cases are rare
dissemination may result in ulcerated granulomas of skin, bone, or other sites
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in tissue biopsies, thick-walled yeast cells w/ single broad-based buds are seen
microscopically
culture = hyphae w/ small pear-shaped conidia are visible
@ Treatment & Prevention:
ketoconazole = drug of choice in persons w/ lesions
oral itraconazole = used to treat pulmonary or disseminated disease
surgical excision may be helpful
no means of prevention
D. Paracoccidioides
@ Disease: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis
@ Properties:
dimorphic fungus that exists as a mold in soil & as a yeast in tissue
the yeast is thick-walled w/ multiple buds, in contrast to B. dermatitidis, w/c has a single
bud
@ Transmission & Epidemiology:
fungus grows in the soil & is endemic in rural Latin America
disease occurs only in that region
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
spores are inhaled & early lesions occur in the lungs
asymptomatic infection is common
oral mucous membrane lesions, lymph node enlargement & sometimes dissemination to
many organs develops
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in pus or tissue, yeast cells w/ multiple buds are seen microscopically
culture = may grow typical organism (2-4 weeks)
serologic tests: (a significant titer means an active disease is present)
1. immunodiffusion
2. complement fixation
A. Candida
** other species:
1. Candida albicans = most common species to cause disseminanted disease
2. Candida tropicalis
3. Candida parapsilosis
4. Candida krusei
5. Torulopsis glabrata
( #s 2 & 3 are important pathogens also)
@ Diseases:
Candida albicans (the most important candica) causes the ff:
1. thrush 3. chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
2. vaginitis
@ Properties:
yeast = is oval w/ single bud
a normal flora of mucous membranes of the upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, & female
genital tracts
in tissue = may appear as budding yeast or an elongated budding pseudophyphae
@ Transmission:
not transmitted (since its a member of the NF)
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
when local or systemic host defenses are impaired, disease may result
thrush = overgrowth of the organism in the mouth produces white patches
vulvovaginitis = itchy & discharge is favored by high pH, diabetes, or use of antibiotics
skin invasion = in warm & moist areas
fingers & nails become involved when repeatedly immersed in water (persons employed
as dishwashers in restaurants & institutions are commonly affected)
thickening & loss of nails can occur
chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis = occur in immunosuppressed persons
intravenous drugs predisposes to disseminated candidiasis
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in exudates & tissues = budding yeasts & pseudohyphae are seen microscopically
culture = GERM TUBE form in serum at 37C (this serves to distinguish C albicans
from other Candida species)
skin test w/ Candida Ags = (+) in normal adults
= used as an indicator of competent cellular immunity
@ Treatment & Prevention:
clotrimazole or nystatin = oral or topical antifungal drugs
= treats local infections (ex. thrush)
ketoconazole = for mucocutaneous candidiasis
amphotericin B w/ or w/o flucytosine or ketoconazole = disseminated candidiasis
treatment should be supplemented by reduction of predisposing factors (ex. thrush can be
prevented by oral clotrimazole or nystatin)
no vaccine
B. Cryptococcus
@ Disease: Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcosis (esp cryptococcal meningitis)
@ Properties:
not dimorphic
yeast are oval, budding & surrounded by a wide polyssacharide capsule
@ Transmission:
yeast occur widely in nature & grows abundantly in soil containing bird droppings (esp
pigeon)
human infection results from inhalation of the organism
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
lung infection = often asymptomatic / may produce pneumonia
occurs mainly in immunocompromised persons (in whom the organism disseminates to
the CNS-meningitis)
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
in spinal fluid mixed w/ INDIA INK = the yeast cell is seen microscopically surrounded
by a wide unstained capsule
culture = CSF the specimen
serologic test = in infected spinal fluid, CAPSULAR Ag occurs in high titer
@ Treatment & Prevention:
combination of amphotericin B & flucytosin
fluconazole = used in AIDS patients for long-term suppression
no means of prevention
C. Aspergillus
@ Disease: Aspergillus fumigatus cause aspergillosis
@ Properties:
exists ONLY AS MOLDS
not dimorphic
have septate hyphae that form V-shaped (dichotomous) branches
walls are more or less parallel & its conidia form radiating chains in contrast to those of
Mucor & Rhizopus, w/c are enclosed w/in a sporangium
@ Transmission:
widely distributed
grow on decaying vegetation, producing chains of conidia
transmission is by AIRBORNE CONIDIA
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
organism colonizes & later invades abraded skin, wounds, burns, the cornea, the external
ear, or paranasal sinuses
in immunocompromised persons = invade the lungs & other organs producing
hemoptysis & granulomas
grows in pulmonary cavities = produce FUNGUS BALL (seen in x-ray)
cause allergic asthma
grows on cereals or nuts & produces aflatoxins that may be carcinogenic & acutely toxic
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
biopsy specimens show septate, branching hyphae invading tissue
culture shows the characteristic radiating chains of conidia (but + culture doesnt show
disease coz colonization is common)
serological test = high levels of IgE (esp in asthma)
= high titers of galactomannan Ag in serum
@ Treatment & Prevention:
amphotericin B = for invasive aspergillosis but results are poor
fungus ball = can be surgically removed (from the pulmonary cavity or sinuses)
no specific means of prevention
D. Mucor & Rhizopus
- are saprophytic molds that are widely found
@ Disease:
mucormycosis (zygomycosis, phycomycosis)
@ Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings:
invade tissues of immunocompromised hosts
proliferate in the walls of blood vessels esp of the paranasal sinuses, lungs, or gut &
result in tissue necrosis
@ Laboratory Diagnosis:
biopsy specimen = organisms are seen microscopically as NONSEPTATE HYPHAE w/
broad, irregular walls & branches that form more or less at right angles
culture = shows colonies w/ spores contained w/in a sporangium
@ Treatment & Prevention:
if diagnosis is made early, treatment of the disorder, plus administration of amphotericin
B & surgical removal of necrotic infected tissue has resulted in some emissions cures
BASIC VIROLOGY
General Characteristics:
1. Viruses are particles composed of an internal core containing either DNA or RNA ( but not both)
covered by a protective protein coat. Some viruses have an outer lipoprotein membrane, called an
envelope, external to the coat.
2. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites = because they can reproduce only within cells since
they cannot generate energy or synthesize proteins
3. Viruses replicate in a manner different from that of a cells = they dont undergo binary fission
VIRAL STRUCTURE
peplos
SIZE & SHAPE = ranges from 20-300 nm in diameter
= shapes are referred to in colloquial terms (ex. spheres, rods, bullets, or bricks)
= in reality, they are complex structures of geometric symmetry
= the shape is determined by the arrangement of the repeating sub-units that form the protein
coat CAPSID of the virus
VIRION = the complete infectious viral particle
NUCLEIC ACID CORE = constitute the genetic material or viral genome w/c can either be DNA or RNA
= located internally & can be either single- or double-stranded DNA or single- or double-stranded
RNA
= nucleic acid could either be linear or circular
= the DNA is always a single molecule which the RNA can exist either as a single molecule or in
several pieces
= viruses are haploid (they contain only one copy of their genes); except for retroviruses w/c are
diploid
CAPSID = protein coat or sheath that surrounds the nucleic acid core
= made up of subunits called capsomers
= functions;
1. protect the viral genome/genetic material from destructive agents in the external environment
2. introduce the viral genome into the host cell / mediate the attachment of the virus to specific
receptors on the host cell surface
SPIKES = protein projections that extends from the capsid w/c attach to host cell receptors during the entry
of the virus into the cell
3. Viroids
= consist solely of a single molecule of circular RNA w/o a protein coat or envelope
= cause several plant diseases but are not implicated in any human disease
4. Prions
= are infectious protein particles that are composed solely of protein, they contain no nucleic acid
(DNA or RNA)
= are much more resistant to inactivation by ultraviolet light, heat, & acid than are viruses
= resistant also to formaldehyde & nucleases but are inactivated by hypochlorite, NaOH, &
autoclaving
= hypochlorite is used to sterilize surgical instruments & other medical supplies that cannot be
autoclaved
REPLICATION
= the infecting parental virus particle attaches to the cell membrane & then penetrates the host cell
= the viral genome is uncoated by removing the capsid protein, & the genome is free to function
= early mRNA & proteins are synthesized
= the early proteins are enzymes used to replicate the viral genome
= late mRNA & proteins are then synthesized
= these late proteins are the structural, capsid proteins
= the progeny virion are assembled from the replicated genetic material & newly made capsid proteins are
then released from the cell
Lysogeny
= the typical replicative cycle described above occurs most of the time when viruses infect cells
= lysogenic cycle, is an alternative pathway use by some viruses in w/c the viral DNA becomes integrated
into the host cell chromosome & no progeny virus particles are produced at that time
= important medical function: is the synthesis of several exotoxins in bacteria
(ex. diphtheria & botulinum toxins, coded for by the genes of the integrated bacteriophage (prophage)
= lysogenic conversion the term applied to the new properties that a bacterium acquires as a result of
expression of the integrated prophage genes
= Fig 29-4: several aspects of infections by tumor viruses & herpesviruses are similar to the events in the
lysogenic cycle of lambda phage; infection by lambda phage in E. coli begins w/ injection of the
linear, double-stranded DNA genome through the phage tail into the cell; the linear DNA
circularizes (circularization is important bec it is the circular form that integrates into the host cell
DNA); and then viral DNA integrates into the cell DNA; the integration occurs by the matching
of a specific attachment site on the lambda DNA to a homologous site on the E. coli DNA & the
integration (breakage & rejoining) of the 2 DNAs mediated by a phage-encoded recombination
enzyme; the integrated viral DNA is called a prophage
Mutations
= mutation is a change in the base sequence of DNA or RNA that usually results in insertion of a
different amino acid into a protein & the appearance of an altered phenotype
= important practical use of mutation is in the production of vaccines containing live, attenuated
virus; these attenuated mutants have lost their pathogenicity but have retained their antigenicity,
so that they induce immunity w/o causing diseases
Interactions
When 2 genetically distinct viruses infect a cell, 3 different phenomena can ensue:
1. Recombination = is the exchange of genes between 2 chromosomes that is based on crossing
over w/in regions of significant base sequence homology
2. Complementation = can occur when one of the 2 viruses that infects the cell has a mutation
that results in a nonfunctional protein
= the nonmutated virus complements the mutated one by making a functional protein
that serves for both viruses
= complementation is an important method by which a helper virus permits replication
of
a defective virus
= Fig 30-1: If either virus A or virus B infects a cell, no virus is produced because each
has a mutated gene. If both virus A & virus B infect a cell, the protein produce
of gene Y of virus A will complement virus B, the protein produce of gene A of
virus B will complement virus A.
3. Phenotypic mixing = the genome of virus type A can be coated w/ the surface proteins of
virus type B
= this phenotypically mixed virus can infect cells as determined by its type B protein
coat but the Progeny virus from this infection has a type A coat, it is encoded solely by
its type A genetic material
= Fig 30-2: A retrovirus (A) & a rhabdovirus (B) infect the same cell; the progeny
viruses include phenotypically mixed particles (2, 3, 4, & 5) & normal progeny virions (1
& 6).
2. to produce new viral vaccines that contain recombinant viruses carrying the genes of several different
viruses, thereby inducing immunity to several diseases w/ one immunization
= recombinant viral vaccines contain viruses that have been genetically engineered to carry the genes
of other viruses
= ex. the gene for the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus has been introduced into vaccinia virus & is
expressed in infected cells
1. Parvoviruses = very tiny naked icosahedral viruses w/c multiply in the nucleus of infected cells; they
are only single stranded DNA virus
Ex. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) = multiply only in the simultaneously infected w/
Adenoviruses
4. Hepadnavirus
Ex. Hepatitis B virus is the human pathogen in this family
5. Herpesvirus = enveloped icosahedral viruses; they are highly cytopathic in cultured cells & frequently
establish latent infections in sensory ganglia for indefinite periods of time & then reactive
Ex: i. Herpes simplex virus type I commonly termed as the oral strain, producing
infections above the waist; stomatitis, fever blisters, upper respiratory
infections, severe & generally fatal encephalitis
ii ii. Herpes simplex virus type II commonly termed as the genital strain causing
iii genital infections
iii. Varicella-zoster virus man is the only known natural host
- the name of the virus reflects 2 diesases:
a. Varicella or chicken pox the result of the primary infection
b. Zoster or shingles the result of the reactivation of varicella virus
present in latent from in the sensory ganglia
iv. B virus causing fatal encephalitis in humans
v. Cytomegalovirus most common cause of congenital infections in humans; can
iv also cause jaundice, brain damage & death
vi. EB virus or Epstein-Barr virus causative agent of infectious Mononucleosis or
v Kissings Disease; also associated w/ Burkitts lymphoma &
vi nasopharyngeal carcinomag
3. Reoviruses = REO stands for respiratory-enteric orphan (so called because they were originally
found in the respiratory & enteric tracts & were not associated w/ any human disase); naked
nucleocapsid possess 2 capsid shells & double-stranded DNA
Genus Orthorevirus Mammalian reviruses
Genus Orbivirus Colorado Tick fever causing encephalitis in man
Genus Cypovirus
Genus Phytoreovirus & Genus Fijivirus plant viruses
Genus Rotavirus Human rotavirus causing diarrhea in infants
4. Flaviviruses = include yellow fever virus, dengue virus, & St. Louis & Japanese encephalitis viruses
5. Togaviruses = enveloped icosahedral viruses include many of the viruses previously known as
arboviruses (arthropod borne); they multiply in bloodsucking insects as well as vertebrates;
rarely producing disease in either
** Genus alphavirus (mosquito-borne) causing encephalitis in man
- Eastern, Western & Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis causing encephalitis in man
- Chikungunya causing myositis & arthritis
- ONyong-Nyong causing fever, arthralgia, rash
Genus Flavivirus
- yellow fever virus causing hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis, etc.
- Dengue virus causing fever, arthralgia, rash
- Japanese encephalitis -- causing fatal encephalitis
** Genus Rubivirus causing German measles (Rubella virus) & severe deformities of
fetuses in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
Genus Pestivirus
- Hog cholera virus
** are human pathogens
6. Retroviruses = (RNA tumor viruses) envelope particles containing a coiled nucleocapsid w/an
icosahedral core shell; all members possess the unique enzyme known as reverse transcriptase
thats why its named retro
= 3 medically important groups:
a. Oncovirus group w/c contains the sarcoma & leukemia viruses
Ex. human T-cell leukemia (HTLV)
b. Lentivirus group slow virus group w/c includes human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)
c. Spumaviruses comprises the foamy virus
= in cell cultures (esp kidney), it causes the formation of multinucleated vacuolated giant cells
that have a highly characteristic appearance
7. Orthomyxoviruses = the term myxo refers to the affinity of these viruses for mucins, & ortho is
added to distinguish them from the paramyxoviruses
= possess 2 glycoprotein spikes: a. hemagglutinin
b. neuraminidase
Ex. Influenze virus main human pathogen; causing acute respiratory disease
8. Paramyxoviruses = they differ from orthomyxoviruses in that their genomes are not segmented & their
hemagglutinin & neuraminidase are located on the same glycoprotein spike
= sometimes referred to as hemadsorption viruses because their presence were recognized by the
hemadsorption of guinea pig red cells to tissue culture sheet
= important human pathogens: measles, mumps, parainfluenza & respiratory syncytial viruses
(RSV)
10. Filoviruses = highly pleomorphic; the term filo refers to the long filaments (long filaments that are
80 nm in diameter but can be thousands of nanometers long)
= 2 human pathogens: a. Ebola virus causing acute hemorrhagic fever
b. Marburg virus causing fatal hemorrhagic fever
11. Coronaviruses = the term corona refers to their characteristic large club-shaped spikes protruding
from the envelope w/c gives them a crown like appearance
= cause respiratory tract infections in human (ex. common cold)
Ex. Human infectious bronchitis virus causing acute upper respiratory diseases
12. Arenaviruses = the term arena (a Latin word) w/c means sandy that refers to granules on the virion
surface that are nonfunctional ribosomes
= 2 human pathogens: a. lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
b. Lassa fever virus
PATHOGENESIS
3. malignant transformation
= is characterized by unrestrained growth, prolonged survival, & morphologic changes
4. the immune response, both as a host defense & as a contributing cause of certain diseases
= viral diseases are the result of cell killing by virus-induced inhibition of macromolecular
synthesis; but there are certain diseases in w/c cell killing by immunologic attack plays an
important role in pathogenesis
= Ex. (LCM) lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is inoculated into the brain of an adult mouse
[w/c also happens in man]; virus replication occurs & death follows; however, when LCM virus
is inoculated into the brain of an immunosuppressed adult mouse or newborn mouse, the animal
remains well despite extensive virus replication; when immune lymphocytes are inoculated into
these infected, healthy mice, death ensues
= similar case happens in hepatitis B virus infection, in w/c immune complexes play a role in
producing the chronic hepatitis & arthritis characteristic of this disease
HOST DEFENSES
@ Host defenses against viruses fall into 2 major categories:
1. NONSPECIFIC DEFENSES = most important are the interferons w/c are an early, first-line defense
a. interferons are a heterogenous groups of glycoproteins (molecular wt 20,000-40,000)
produced by human & other animal cells after viral infection or after exposure to other
inducers
- they inhibit the growth of viruses by blocking the translation of viral proteins
- are divided into 3 groups based on the cell of origin
i. leukocyte
ii. fibroblast known as alpha, beta, & gamma interferons
iii. lymphocyte * alpha & beta = are induced by viruses
* gamma = induced by antigens
- Fig. 33-1: induction & action of interferon:
(A) virus infection induces the synthesis of interferon, w/c then leaves the infected cell
(B) interferon binds to the surface receptor of an uninfected cell & induces the synthesis of 3
new enzymes (antiviral proteins)
(C) antiviral proteins block the translation of viral mRNA
b. phagocytosis fixed macophages of the reticuloendothelial system & alveolar macrophages are
the important cell types in limiting virus infection; unlike PMN leukocytes are the
predominant cellular defense in bacterial infections
d. mucocillary clearance such mechanism of the respiratory tract may protect the host
- if damage (ex. from smoking), results in an increased frequency of viral respiratory
tract infections esp influenza
2. SPECIFIC DEFENSES
@ Acquired immunity = the most important type of defense
a. Active immunity = actively acquired by exposure to the virus
= can be elicited by contracting the actual disease by having an inapparent infection or by
being vaccinated
= important in the prevention of disease w/c is chiefly due to the presence of
immunoglobulins
IgA confers protection against viruses that enter through the respiratory & gastrointestinal
mucosa
IgM & IgG protect against viruses that enter or are spread through the blood
- the lifelong protection against systemic viral infections (ex. childhood diseases:
measles, mumps, rubella, & chickenpos (varicella) is a function of anamnestic (2ndary)
response of IgG
= protection by active immunity can be affected by the phenomenon of original antigenic
sin (the term refers to the observation that when a person is exposed to a virus that cross-reacts
w/ another virus to which that individual was previously exposed, more Ab may be produce
against the original virus than against the current one; it appears that the immunologic memory
cells can respond to the original antigenic exposure to a greater extent than to the subsequent one
ex case of influenza virus & severe hemorrhagic dengue fever virus)
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
= a definitive identification of the virus grown in cell culture is made by using known Ab in the ff
tests: > complement fixation
> hemagglutination inhibition
> neutralization
> fluorescent Ab
> radioimmunoassay
> enzymes-linked immunosorbent assay
> immunoelectron microscopy
ANTIVIRAL DRUGS
the number of antiviral drugs is very small compared to drugs against bacterial infections
(the major reason for the difference is the difficulty in obtaining selective toxicity against
virus & their replication is involved w/ the normal synthetic processes of the cell)
limitation:
= are relatively ineffective (bec many cycles of viral replication occur during the incubation
period when the patient is well; by the time the patient has a recognizable systemic viral
disease, the virus has spread throughout the body & it is too late to interdict it)
= emergence of drug-resistant viral mutants
** Inhibitors of Herpesviruses:
A. acyclovir = is active primarily against herpes simplex virus types 1 & 2 & varicella-zoster
virus
= is due to the virus-encoded thymidine kinase, w/c phosphorylates acyclovir much more
effectively than does the cellular thymidine kinase
= bec only herpes simplex virus & varicella-zoster virus encode a kinase that efficiently
phosphorylates the drug; no activity against cytomegalovirus
B. ganciclovir = active against cytomegalovirus esp retinitis in AIDS & other infections caused
by this virus
C. vidarabine = effective against herpes simplex virus type 1 infections such as encephalitis &
dermatitis but is less effective & much more toxic than acyclovir
= on entering the cell, the drug is phosphorylated by cellular kinases to the triphosphate,
w/c inhibits the herpesvirus-encoded DNA polymerase more effectively than the cellular
DNA polymerase
** Inhibitors of retroviruses: [the selective toxicity of the ff drugs is based on their ability to
inhibit DNA synthesis by the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)]
F. azidothymidine = also inhibits growth of virus in cell culture; is currently the drug of choice in
patients w/ AIDS
G. dideoxyinosine = causes chain termination during DNA synthesis by the reserves transcriptase
of HIV & is used to treat patients who are intolerant of or resistant to AZT
I. ribavirin = inhibits the synthesis of guanine nucleotides, w/c are essential for both DNA &
RNA viruses
= used clinically to treat pneumonitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus in infants &
to treat severe influenza B infections
A. interferon = effective in the treatment of some patients w/ chronic hepatitis B & C infections
B. methisazone = specifically inhibits the protein synthesis of poxviruses, such as smallpox &
vaccinia viruses
= by blocking the translation of late mRNA
VIRAL VACCINES
@ 2 types of vaccines:
1. live virus -in general, live vaccines are preferred to vaccines containing killed virus bec their
protection is GREATER & LONGER-LASTING
- w/ live vaccines, the virus multiplies in the host, producing a prolonged antigenic
stimulus, & both IgA & IgG are elicited when the vaccine is administered by the natural
route of infection
- booster doses are also recommended esp w/ measles & polio vaccines
- 3 concerns about the use of live vaccines:
a. they are composed of attenuated viral mutants, w/c can revert to virulence either
during vaccine production or in the immunized person
b. live vaccine can be excreted by the immunized person
c. a 2nd virus could contaminated the vaccine if it was present in the cell cultures used to
prepare the vaccine.
2. killed virus - usually given intramuscularly, do not stimulate a major IgA response
- Disadvantages:
> produce a shorter duration of protection
> less protective
> induce fewer IgA Abs
- Advantages:
> they cannot revert to virulence
> are more heat-stable = so can be used more easily in tropical climates
2. Mumps Virus
Disease Mumps
Clinical Findings
after an incubation period of 18-21 days, a prodromal stage of fever, malaise, & anorexia is
followed by tender swelling of the parotid glands, either unilateral or bilateral
there is a characteristic increase in parotid pain when drinking citrus juices
disease is benign & resolves spontaneously w/in a week
2 complications are of significance:
1. orchitis in postpubertal males, w/c if bilateral, can result in sterility
= unilateral orchitis does not lead to sterility
2. meningitis = benign & self-limited & w/o sequelae
= mumps virus, coxsackievirus & echovirus are the 3 most frequent causes of
viral (aseptic) meningitis
Laboratory Diagnosis
viral isolation through cell culture from saliva, spinal fluid, or urine
hemagglutination inhibition & CF = 4-fold rise in Ab titier is diagnostic
mumps skin test = used to detect previous infection
Treatment
no antiviral therapy
Prevention
immunization (live, attenuated vaccine)
= effective & long-lasting (at least 10 yrs)
= given to children at 15 mons of age, usually in combination w/ measles & rubella
vaccines
= bec its live, it should not be given to immunocompromised persons or pregnant
women
immune globulin is not useful for prevention
Transmission &Epidemiology
transmitted via respiratory droplets & by direct contact of contaminated hands w/ the nose or
mouth
cause outbreaks every winter & in hospitalized infants (the latter outbreaks can be controlled
by hand washing & use of gloves, w/c interrupt transmission by hospital personnel
Clinical Findings
infants = lower respiratory tract disease (bronchiolitis & pneumonia predominates)
older children & adults = upper respiratory infections resemble the common cold
Laboratory Diagnosis
isolation in cell culture
immunofluorescence on smears of respiratory epithelium
at least a 4-fold rise in Ab titer is diagnostic
Treatment
aerosolized ribavirin is recommended for severely ill hospitalized infants
Prevention
no vaccine
nosocomial outbreaks can be limited by hand washing and use of gloves
4. Parainfluenza Viruses
Disease
croup & pneumonia in children
disease resembling the common cold in adults
Clinical Findings
known as the main cause of croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis) in children under 5 yrs of
age; also cause a variety of respiratory disease such as common cold, pharyngitis, bronchitis
& pneumonia
croup is characterized by a harsh cough & hoarseness
Laboratory Diagnosis
viral isolation in cell culture
4-fold or greater rise in Ab titer
Treatment & Prevention
no antiviral therapy nor vaccine available
III. TOGAVIRUSES
1. Rubella Virus
Important Properties
composed of one piece of single-stranded RNA
icosahedral nucleocapsid
lipoprotein envelope
has positive-strand RNA (unlike paramyxoviruses) & has no virion polymerase
surface spikes contain hemagglutinin
human are the natural host
Clinical Findings
A. Rubella = is a milder, shorter disease than measles
= after an incubation period of 14-21 days, a brief prodromal period w/ fever & malaise is
followed by a maculopapular rash w/c starts on the face & progresses downward to involve the
extremities & typically lasts for 3 days
= posterior auricular lymphadenopathy is characteristic
Laboratory Diagnosis
cell culture = produces cytopathic effect (CPE)
hemagglutination test or ELISA = 4-fold or greater rise in Ab titer between the acute-phase
& convalescent-phase sera
in pregnant woman exposed to rubella virus, the presence of IgM Ab indicates recent
infection
1:8 or greater titer of IgG Ab indicates immunity & consequent protection of the fetus
Prevention
live, attenuated vaccine = effective & long-lasting ( at least 10 yrs)
= given to children at 15 months of age, usually in combination w/ measles & mumps
= given also to unimmunized young adult women if they are not pregnant & will use
contraception for the next 3 months
= not give to immunocompromised patients
immune globulin administration does not prevent fetal infection in pregnant women exposed
to rubella virus
to protect pregnant women from exposure to rubella virus, many hospital require their
personnel to demonstrate immunity, either by serologic testing or by proof of immunization
2. other Togaviruses
other medically important togaviruses are descrigbed on arboviruses
IV. RHABDOVIRUSES
@ Rabies virus
Disease rabies
Important Properties
single-stranded RNA enclosed w/in a bullet-shaped capsid surrouded by a lipoprotein
envelope
genome has a negative polarity
rabies virus has a broad host range = it can infect all mammals
street virus = virus isolated directly from infected animals
fixed virus = virus continuously passaged in rabbit brains; the fixed virus was used in the
original Pasteur type of the vaccine
Clinical Findings
the incubation period varies according to the location of the bite from as short as 2 wks to 16
wks or longer
it is shorter when bites are sustained on the head rather than on the leg, bec virus has a shorter
distance to travel to reach the CNS
w/in a few days, signs such as confusion, lethargy & increased salivation develop
most notable is the painful spasm of the throat muscles on swallowing hydrophobia ( an
aversion to swallowing water bec it is so painful)
w/in several days, the disease progresses to seizures, paralysis, & coma & some death
Laboratory Diagnosis
1. animal
= rapid diagnosis: examination of brain tissue using either fluorescent Ab to rabies virus or
histologic staining of Negri bodies in the cytoplasm of hippocampal neurons
= viral isolation: cell culture (but takes too long)
2. humans
= isolation of virus by cell culture
= rise in titer of Ab to the virus
= negri bodies can be demonstrated in corneal scrapings & in autopsy specimens of the brain
Treatment
no antiviral therapy only supportive treatment is available
Prevention
2 approaches to prevention of rabies in humans:
1. preexposure = immunization w/ rabies vaccine should be given to individuals in high-risk
groups such as veterinarians, zoo keepers, & travelers to hyperendemic areas
= rabies vaccine (HDCV) contains inactivated fixed virus grown in human diploid
cells, but duck embryo vaccine or nerve tissue vaccines are also available
2. postexposure = involves the use of bothe the vaccine & human rabies immune globulin
(RIG), obtained from hyperimmunized persons) + immediate cleaning of the wound
= tetanus immunization should also be considered
I. PICORNAVIRUSES
= small (20-30 nm) nonenveloped, composed of an icosahedral nucleocapsid & a single-stranded
RNA genome
= the genome RNA has positive polarity
= replication in the cytoplasm of cells
= are activated by lipid solvents (like ether) bec they dont have envelope
= this family includes 2 medically important groups:
A. enteroviruses
= infect primarily the enteric tract
= replicate optimally at 37C
= stable in acid conditions (pH 3-5); thus they are able to survive exposure to
gastric acid
B. rhinoviruses
= found in the nose & throat (hence their name)
= grow better at 33C
= are acid labile (thats why restricted to the nose & throat only)
A. Enteroviruses
1. Poliovirus
Disease poliomyelitis
Important Properties
have 3 serologic (antigenic) types based on different antigenic determinants on the outer
capsid proteins, thus protection from disease requires the presence of Ab against each of the 3
types
Clinical Findings:
incubation period is usually 10-14 days
the range of responses to poliovirus infection includes:
a. inapparent, asymptomatic infection
b. abortive poliomyelitis = most common clinical form (mild, febrile illness)
= most patients recover spontaneously
c. nonparalytic poliomyelitis = manifests as an aseptic meningitis w/ fever, headache & a stiff
neck; resolves spontaneously
d. paralytic poliomyelitis = flaccid paralysis is the predominant finding; permanent motor
nerve damage; painful muscle spasm
Laboratory Diagnosis
isolation of virus = from the throat, stool or spinal fluid
= virus causes a cytopathic effect (CPE) w/c can be identified by neutralization
method using a specific antisera
by rise in Ab titer
Treatment
no antiviral therapy
treatment is limited to symptomatic relief & respiratory support
physiotherapy for the affected muscles
Prevention
immunization of both killed (Salk) & the live, attenuated (Sabin) vaccines
both vaccines induce humoral Abs w/c neutralize virus entering the blood & prevent CNS
infection & disease
live vaccine = is currently preferred
= advantages: i. Interrupsts fecal-oral transmission
ii. given orally unlike the killed vaccine w/c must be injected
= disadvantages:
i. reversion of the attenuated virus to virulence will occur
ii. cause disease in immunodeficient persons
iii. infection of the gastrointestinal tract by other enteroviruses can limit replication
of vaccine virus & reduce protection
iv. must be kept refrigerated to prevent heat inactivation of the live virus
killed vaccine = used in 2 special instances:
i.. initial vaccination of unimmunized adults (bec the risk of disease from the live
vaccine is higher in adults than in children)
ii. vaccination of immunodeficient individuals
passive immunization w/ immune serum globulin is available for protection of unimmunized
individuals known to have been exposed & newborns
2. Coxsackieviruses
= named for the town of Coxsackie, NY, where they were first isolated
Disease
Group A viruses = herpangina & hand-foot-&-mouth disease
Group B viruses = pleurodynia, myocarditis, & pericarditis
Important Properties
size & structure of the virion & the nature of the genome RNA are similar to those poliovirus
Clinical Findings
A. Groups A = herpangina: char by fever, sore throat & tender vesicles in the oropharynx
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease: char by vesicular rash on the hands & feet
B. Group B = pleurodynia/epidemic myalgia/devils grip/Bornholm disease
= myocarditis & have a similar role in juvenile diabetes in humans
C. Caused by both groups = aseptic meningitis, mild paresis & transient paralysis
Laboratory Diagnosis:
cell culture or suckling mice
rise in titer of neutralizing Abs
3. Echoviruses
the prefix ECHO is an acronym for Enteric Cytopathic Human Orphan
called orphans bec they were not initially associated w/ any disease
cause a variety of diseases: aseptic meningitis, upper respiratory infection, febrile illness w/
& w/o rash, etc.
structure is similar to other enteroviruses
transmitted by fecal-oral route & occur worldwide
one of the leading cause of aseptic (viral) meningitis
diagnosis: cell culture but serologic tests are of little value
no antiviral therapy or vaccine available
4. Other Enteroviruses
Enterovirus 70 = main cause of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis
= complete recovery occurs & no therapy
Enterovirus 71 = one of the leading causes of viral CNS disease
Enterovirus 72 = is hepatitis A virus
B. Rhinoviruses
Important Properties
replicate better at 33C than at 37
acid labile
Clinical Findings
after incubation period of 2-4 days, sneezing, nasal discharge, sore throat, cough & headache
are common & a chilly sensation occurs
illness lasts about 1 week
note that other viruses such coronaviruses, adenoviruses, influenza C virus &
coxsackieviruses also cause common cold syndrome
Laboratory Diagnosis
viral isolation from nasal secretion in cell culture
serologic tests are not done
II. REOVIRUSES
= REO is an acronym for Respiratory Enteric Orphan
= when the virus was discovered, it was isolated from the respiratory & enteric tracts& was not
associated w/ any disease
= Rotaviruses are the most important human pathogens in this family
@ Rotavirus
Important Properties
segmented, double-stranded RNA genome w/ an icosahedral capsid w/o an envelope
the virion contains an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (a virion polymerase is required bec
human cells do not have an RNA polymeralse that can synthesize mRNA from a double-
stranded RNA template
Clinical Findings
infection is characterized by nausea, vomiting & watery, nonbloody diarrhea
gastroenteritis is most serious in young children (concern is dehydration & electrolyte
imbalance)
minor symptoms in adults
Laboratory Diagnosis:
radioimmunoassay or ELISA = using a stool
4-fold or greater rise in Ab titer
cell culture & immunoelectron microscopy = not routinely done
Important Properties:
1. HIV is one of the human T cell lymphotrophic retroviruses
2. infects & kills helper (CD4) T lymphocytes = resulting in the loss of cell-mediated immunity & a
high probability & susceptibility to opportunistic infections
3. may infect other cells also like macrophages & monocytes, that have CD4 protein on their
surfaces
4. cause slow infections w/ long incubation periods
5. Fig. 45-1: Cross-section of HIV
= in the interior, 2 molecules of viral RNA are shown associated with reverse transcriptase;
surrounding those structures is an icosahedral nucleocapsid composed of p24 proteins; on the
exterior are the 2 envelope proteins, gp120 & gp41, w/c are embedded in the lipid bilayer derived
from the cell membrane
6. typical retroviral genes:
a. gag gene = encodes the internal core proteins, the most impt is p24, an Ag used in
serologic tests
b. pol gene = encodes several proteins including the virion reverse transcriptase, w/c
synthesizes DNA by using the genome RNA as a template
c. env gene = encodes gp160, a precursor glycoprotein that is cleaved to form the 2
envelope (surface) glycoproteins, gp120 & gp41
d. tat gene = means transactivation of transcriptase, a regulatory gene w/c encodes a
protein that enhances viral gene transcription
= reduces the ability of cytotoxic T cells to kill HIV-infected cells
7. Important Ags of HIV:
a. gp120 & gp41 = are the type-specific envelope glycoproteins
= the gene that encodes gp120 mutates rapidly; Ab against gp120 neutralizes
the infectivity of HIV, but the rapid appearance of gp120 variants will make
production of an effective vaccine difficult
= the high mutation rate may be due to lack of an editing function in the reverse
transcriptase
b. p24 = the group-specific Ag
= Ab against p24 do not neutralize HIV infectivity but serve as impt serologic
markers of infection
8. infects human & certain primates BUT HIV is NOT AN ENDOGENOUS VIRUS of humans
9. viruses similar to HIV:
a. HIV-2 = proteins of HIV-2 are only about 40% identical to those of the original HIV isolates
b. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) = isolated from monkeys w/ AIDS-like illness
= the proteins of SIV resemble those of HIV-2 more closely than they resemble those of
the original HIV isolates
c. HTLV-IV = infects T cells but does not kill them & is not associated w/ any disease
Clinical Findings:
1. the clinical picture of HIV infection can be divided into 3 stages:
a. early, acute stage = 2-4 weeks after infection; Abs to HIV appear w/in 2 months after infxn
= fever, lethargy, sore throat, generalized lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash,
leukopenia but # of CD4 cells is normal
b. middle, latent stage = a long latent period, measured in years
= px is asymptomatic & viremia is low or absent but a large amount of HIV is being
produced by the lymph node cells
= AIDS-related complex (ARC) syndrome can occur during this latent period
= frequent manifestation of the signs & symptoms of acute stage
c. late immunodeficiency stage =manifested by a decline in the # of CD4 cells to below 200/mm 3
& an increase in the frequency & severity of opportunistic infections
Fig. 45-3: Time course of HIV infection. Note that the level of virus in high early in the infxn,
drops to a low level for several years, & then rises during the immunodeficiency stage. The level
of CD4 lymphocytes remains more or less normal for many years but then falls. This results in
the immunodeficiency stage, w/c is characterized by opportunistic infections & malignancies
Laboratory Diagnosis:
1. ELISA = detection of Abs; presumptive diagnosis of HIV infection
2. Western blot analysis = in cases of false-positives; the definitive diagnosis
3. isolation by culture = not available to all
= the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a very sensitive & specific technique used to
detect HIV DNA w/in infected cells
Treatment:
1. Azidothymidine (AZT, zidovudine, Retrovir) = is the treatment of choice
= prolongs survival & reduces the # of opportunistic infections but does not eliminated
the virus
2. Dideoxyinosine (ddI, didanosine, Videx) = is recommended for those who are intolerant of AZT
Prevention:
1. No vaccine for human is available
2. taking measures to avoid exposure to the virus (ex. using condoms, not sharing needles, &
discarding blood that is contaminated w/ HIV)
TUMOR VIRUSES
Overview:
= tumor viruses have no characteristic size, shape, or chemical composition
= the factor that unites all of them is their common ability to cause tumors.
2. Horizontal transmission
= when vertical transmission occurs exposure to the virus early in life can result in tolerance to viral Ags &
the immune system will not recognize the virus
= when horizontal transmission occurs, the immunocompetent animal produces Ab against the virus & the
frequency of cancer is slow.
Evidence for Human Tumor Viruses