Chapter 29: Clinical Virology

Question 1

What has transformed the field of virology?

Answer 1

Significant advances in diagnostic methods

Question 2

What are viruses classified as?

Answer 2

Subcellular, obligate intracellular parasites

Question 3

Name three significant human diseases caused by viruses.

Answer 3

• Smallpox
• HIV/AIDS
• COVID-19

Question 4

What is the size range of viruses?

Answer 4

20-350 nm

Question 5

What is a virion?

Answer 5

Complete virus particle

Question 6

What are the two types of nucleic acids found in viruses?

Answer 6

• RNA
• DNA

Question 7

What is the protein coat of a virus called?

Answer 7

Capsid

Question 8

What are the three capsid types?

Answer 8

• Helical
• Polyhedral
• Complex

Question 9

What is the difference between enveloped and non-enveloped viruses?

Answer 9

Enveloped viruses have a plasma membrane surrounding them

Question 10

What are spikes in viral structure?

Answer 10

Surface viral proteins used in attachment

Question 11

What is the first step in the viral replication cycle?

Answer 11

Adsorption or attachment

Question 12

What occurs during the penetration stage of viral replication?

Answer 12

Virus delivers its genome to the cytoplasm

Question 13

What determines the replication process of a virus?

Answer 13

The genome type of the virus (DNA or RNA, ss or ds)

Question 14

What is burst size in viral replication?

Answer 14

Number of viruses released from one infected cell

Question 15

What are the four major methods in diagnostic virology?

Answer 15

• Direct detection of virus in clinical specimen
• Nucleic acid-based detection
• Isolation of the virus in cell culture
• Serologic assays to detect antibodies against virus

Question 16

What is a common specimen type for viral testing?

Answer 16

Respiratory specimen

Question 17

Why should samples be kept moist during transport?

Answer 17

Desiccation can destroy fragile viruses

Question 18

What is the preferred method for detecting coronaviruses?

Answer 18

RT-PCR

Question 19

What are serologic assays used for?

Answer 19

Detection of circulating antibodies to viruses after exposure

Question 20

What is an advantage of serologic assays?

Answer 20

Quick and nonhazardous

Question 21

What is a disadvantage of serologic assays?

Answer 21

Does not work well in severely immunocompromised

Question 22

What are examples of dsDNA viruses?

Answer 22

• Adenoviridae
• Herpesviridae
• Papillomaviridae

Question 23

What type of virus is SARS-CoV-2?

Answer 23

Positive ssRNA virus

Question 24

What is the main symptom of COVID-19?

Answer 24

Fever

Question 25

What is herd immunity?

Answer 25

Protection for those unable to be vaccinated

Question 26

What is the risk associated with antiviral compounds?

Answer 26

Increases the risk of drug resistance