Viruses Flashcards
What does it mean for an RNA virus to be “positive sense”?
Where do these viruses replicate?
- Means that the RNA is JUST LIKE a mRNA, it is ready for translation and does not need to bring along extra machinery (solely uses host machinery)
- In general, all positive-sense RNA viruses replicate in the cytoplasm
All negative-sense RNA viruses are single stranded except _____
What are the viruses included in this viral family?
- Reovirus; including rotavirus and colorado tick fever virus
What does it mean for an RNA virus to be “negative sense”?
- When they enter cell are not able to begin translation immediately.
- Must first be transcribed into a postive (+) strand of RNA (like mRNA)
- The negative-sense RNA virus MUST carry, in their capsid, an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
CSF findings in aseptic (nonbacterial) meningitis (i.e., glucose, organisms, and protein)?
- Normal glucose
- No organisms
- Elevated protein
What are the TORCHeS infection?
- Cross the placenta and cause infection in utero –> Congenital disease
- T = toxoplasma
- O = other
- R = rubella
- C = CMV
- H = HIV and HSV
- S = Syphillis
What are the 4 segmented viruses? (hint: there is a mnemonic)
What is their significance?
- BOAR:
- Bunyavirus
- Orthomyxovirus
- Arenavirus
- Reovirus
* Segmented viruses undergo antigenic variation!
What are the 2 types of mutations associated with antigenic variation of viruses?
Which leads to epidemics and which leads to pandemics?
- Antigenic drift: point mutations in HA or NA, associated with epidemics (this is the reason for new flu shot each year)
- Antigenic shift: reassortment of different combos of HA and NA leading to new species; associated with PANDEMICS
What type of antigenic variation can occur with Influenza A and Influenza B; which is associated with ?
- Influenza A: most important = cause of EPIdemicsandpandemics;can undergoantigenic driftandantigenic shift(Has ‘A’ in the name so can undergo both types of ‘A‘ntigenic variation!)
- Influenza B: associated with endemic outbreaks; can ONLY undego antigenic drift
Why is aspirin contraindicated in kids with suspected viral illnesses (i.e., Influenza or varicella)?
What is the pathogenesis?
- Can lead to Reyes syndrome — characterized by fever, rash, vomiting, liver failure, and encephalitis (can be fatal)
- Result of OxPhos uncoupling in hepatocyte mitochondria
Where do viruses replicate in host cells (in general)?
- DNA virsues in the nucleus
- RNA viruses in the cytoplasm
What are the general characteristic of the Picornavirus family?
What is the main form of transmission and the one exception?
- Positive-sense RNA virus
- Naked (lack envelope)
- Transmission: fecal-oral
- Exception is Rhinovirus: transmitted thru respiratory droplets

What are the 3 clinical subgroups of the Picornavirus family and the viruses included in each?
- Hepatitis A —> hepatosplenomegaly
- Enteroviruses (poliovirus, coxsackie A and B, echovirus)
- Rhinovirus —> common cold

What are characteristics of Poliovirus and what virus family does it belong to?
How does it survive in the GI upon entering the body?
- Part of the picornavirus family (Positive-sense, naked, RNA virus)
- Acid stable = fecal-oral transmission and can survive in GI tract
What is the pathogenesis of Poliovirus once inside the body?
Where does it replicate and what are the clinical manifestations once it spreads?
- Initially replicates in lymphoid tissue, like tonsils and Peyer’s pathches (takes about 2-3 weeks)
- Spreads to anterior horn of spinal cord causing ASYMMETRIC paralysis (often of LEs)
- Also causes myalgias, decreased DTRs, aseptic meningitis, and respiratory insufficiency due to paralysis of diaphragm

What family is Coxsackie A virus part of?
What are the 2 clinical manifestations?
- Picornafamily (SS Positive-sense, naked, RNA virus)
- Hepangina: mild self-limiting illness: fever, sore throat, and small red-based vesicle over back of throat
- Hand, foot, and mouth syndrome: common in children: fever, oral vesicles, and small tender lesions on the hands, feet, and buttocks

What family is Coxsackie B virus part of?
What are the 2 important clinical manifestations?
- Picornavirus family (SS Positive-sense, naked RNA virus)
- Pleurodynia: fever, headache, and severe lower thoracic pain on breathing (aka Devil’s Grip)
- Myocarditis/Pericarditis: infection and inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarial membrane, can cause chest pain, arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure

What virus family is Rhinovirus a part of?
How is it transmitted and is it acid stable or labile?
- Picornavirus family (SS Postive-sense, naked, RNA virus)
- Acid labile, so is transmitted via inhalation of respiratory droplets
What are the 2 viruses that can cause the common cold?
1) Rhinovirus
2) Coronaviridae
*A rhino drinking a corona!
Hepatitis A is part of what viral family and has what characteristics?
How is it transmitted?
What are sources of contamination?
- Picornavirus family (Naked icosahedral capsid w/ positive-sense SS RNA)
- Is acid stable, so transmitted fecal-to-oral route
- Contaminated food or water, or close person-to-person contact (day care centers)
What are the clinical manifestations of acute viral hepatitis A infection in adults and in children?
How long does the infection last?
- Children are infected most frequently and have milder sx’s, often NO JAUNDICE or even symptoms
- Adults: may have fever, flu-like sx’s, hepatomegaly, and jaundice
- Ususally lasts one month

What does anti-HAV IgM in the serum mean?
anti-HAV IgG?
- anti-HAV IgM in serum = active Hepatitis A infection
- anti-HAV IgG in seum = indicates old infection and NO active disease
What are the characteristics of Caliciviruses (norovirus)?
How is it transmitted?
Where is it commonly seen?
- Naked SS Positive-sense RNA virus
- Fecal-to-oral route
- Commonly seen on cruise ships and in day care centers
What is the clinical presentation for infection by Calicivirus (norovirus)?
- Acute viral gastroenteritis: fever, vomiting, adbominal pain
- Explosive watery diarrhea

What are the characteristics of the Flaviviridae family of viruses?
- Positive-sense SS RNA virus
- ENVELOPED
- Non-segmented
