Summary of the lectures, interactive lectures and the book: MIMS Medical microbiology and immunology. This document contains the most important information for the test.
, - In viruses containing DNA, mRNA can be formed using the host’s own RNA polymerase to
transcribe directly from the viral DNA. The RNA of viruses cannot be transcribed in this way,
as host polymerases do not work from RNA. If transcription is necessary, the virus must
provide its own polymerases. These may be carried in the nucleocapsid or may be
synthesized after infection.
- In addition to producing molecules for the formation of new capsids, the virus must replicate
its nucleic acid to provide genetic material for packaging into these capsids.
- Replication of viral DNA occurs in the host nucleus – except for poxviruses, where it takes
place in the cytoplasm
- Retroviruses and hepatitis B are the only viruses affecting humans that have reverse
transcriptase activity.
- host cell destruction is the typical consequence of infection with polio or influenza viruses.
With other infections, such as hepatitis B, the cell may remain alive and continue to release
virus particles at a slow rate. These ‘persistent’ infections are of great epidemiological
importance, as the infected person may act as a symptomless carrier of the virus, providing a
continuing source of infection
Acute versus persistent infections
- Acute infectious: rapid increase in amount of virus and fast eliminated from the immune
response. (mostly RNA viruses)
- Latent infection: initinal primary infectious. Fast replication, immune system kicks in and flair
up once in a while (large DNA viruses, such as herpes)
- Persistent Symtomatic: cause not much disease, infectect early and efficiently in early life.
Efficient way to co involve with the host
- Persistent pathogenic: HIV, primary infectious → sick → clear of infectious and the virus
replicate over time → sick. The virus will replicate for all the time the host lives.
Laboratory diagnostics
- Which statement about a quantitative PCR is true?: The more DNA in the sample, the lower
the CT value
- Which of the following diagnostic techniques is based on the detection of virus induced
cytopathic effect (CPE) in cell culture?: Plaque assay
- To determine the number of infectious particles present in a sample: plaque assay
- Direct: detection of a whole micro-organism (infectious particle)
- Indirect (serology): measure if there are antibodies in the host and encounter if there were
pathogens in the past.
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