Respiratory Viruses Flashcards
(121 cards)
where are most respiratory infections acquired from?
people
how are most respiratory infections spread
from the afflicted respiratory tract by contact or droplets
animals are important in terms of respiratory symptoms because
they are a source of new types of respiratory viruses that are introduced into the human population (ie SARS coronavirus and influenza)
respiratory viruses usually invade and stay confined to…
the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract.
How do respiratory viruses spread within the host?
within the lumen of the respiratory tract by movement of respiratory secretions (mucus)
two ways that respiratory viruses escape host mechanisms?
1) “hit and run” strategy– ifxn = shortlived and symptomatic < 1 wk
2) Respiratory viruses have evolved to escape the antibody response so they can infect repeatedly
what is important for the fast elimination of respiratory viruses?
Innate immune responses (interferons)
how do respiratory viruses damage the host?
- the cytopathic effect of the virus on infected cells
2. host inflammatory response
3 components of the upper respiratory tract, and the manifestation of an infection in that area.
1) nasal cavity– common cold
2) pharynx – pharyngitis
3) larynx – laryngitis, croup
4 components of the lower respiratory tract and the manifestation of an infection in that area
1) trachea – tracheitis
2) bronchi – bronchitis
3) bronchioles – bronchiolitis
4) alveoli–pneumonia, influenza
the common cold is caused by…
a viral infection of the nasal mucosa
manifestations of the common cold
rhinorrhea, cough and sore throat, sneezing and mild (or no) fever
half common colds are caused by what virus?
rhinovirus
why do rhinvirus have tropism for the nasal mucoso?
bc they replicate best at the low temp of the nasal mucosa
how does rhinovirus evade the Ab response?
by having over 100 serotypes
why is the conserved receptor binding site of the virus (ICAM-1) not a good target for Abs?
because it’s in a “canyon” on the viral surface so it’s inaccessible to Abs
what is bronchiolitis?
inflammation of the bronchioles, usually associated with a viral ifxn
bronchiolitis is most common amongst people of what age?
children under 2
symptoms of bronchiolitis
fever and rhinorrhea, followed by cough and wheezing of 1-2 wk duration
severe cases include tachypnea, dyspnea, hypoxia and cyanosis
what is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)– an enveloped virus with a non-segmented, minus-strand RNA
what causes 80% of bronchiolitis?
RSV- which infects any part of the resp tract (URTI and LRTI)
infection of the bronchioles (like bronchiolitis) leads to
narrowing of the bronchiolar lumen, as the wall thickens and debris accumulates
what sound is suggestive of bronchiolitis and why?
wheezing– upon exhalation the positive pressure in the lungs pushes the bronchioles shut, trapping air in alveolar spaces. Wheezing occurs as air moves through the narrow passage
what are the two surface proteins of RSV and how many serotypes are there for each?
F-protein (one serotype) and G protein (2 serotypes)– so very little Antigenic variation compared to other viruses