INTRODUCTION TO VIROLOGY

Dr F Noordeen Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine Peradeniya April 2013

Learning outcomes
General properties and classification Viral replication and methods of identification Host defenses against viruses

VIRUSES
Differ from all other infective microorganisms

1. Structure 2. Biology 3. Reproduction

Viruses
Genetic composition
DNA

OR

RNA

Lack synthetic machinery for reproduction Are metabolically inert Require host cell for transcription / translation of genetic material

Nucleocapsid
nucleic acid capsid

envelope Matrix proteins

Differences between viruses and other microbes Organisms

Bacteria Mycoplasma Rickettsiae Chlamydiae Viruses Grow in-vitro DNA+RNA Ribosomes S to AB

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Viral classification
DNA or RNA Size and Morphology Sus. to physical & chemical agents Immunological properties Transmission Host and tissue tropism Pathology Symptoms

DNA or RNA
Parvoviridae Papovaviridae Adenoviridae Herpesviridae Poxviridae Hepadnaviridae Picornaviridae Reoviridae Togaviridae Arenaviridae Coronaviridae Retroviridae Bunyaviridae Orthomyxoviridae Paramyxoviridae Rhabdoviridae

Virus replication
Infecting virus

Attachment

Cell
Release

Cell

Cell
Assembly

Cell
Replication

Cell
Penetration & uncoating

Modes of transmission
1. Inhalation 2. Ingestion
Chicken pox Influenza virus Measles

Hepatitis A

Rotavirus

Poliovirus

3. Direct transfer Inoculation 4. Bites of insect vectors

HIV

Hepatitis B

Rabies

ARBO viruses Dengue

Japanese encephalitis Yellow fever

Outcome of viral infections

SYMPTOMATIC

INAPPARENT INFECTIONS

Symptomatic infections
OUTCOME Factors affecting outcome
Host specificity Tissue /system specificity Cytocidal or not Host immunity
DEATH SELF LIMITING

Unapparent infections
Asymptomatic infections Latent infections Persistent infections
Pool of infected persons

Transformation - Oncogenesis

Diagnosis of viral diseases

1. Identification of Virus
- See virus/virus mediated changes - Detect antigen or nucleic acid of virus - Grow virus

2. Identify host response to virus - Virus specific antibody detection

Antiviral agents
No treatment There are a few antivirals Some under research

Viral vaccines
There are viral vaccines - will be discussed Some under research

Sensitivity to various chemicals Discussed in Sterilisation and Disinfection lecture

Antiviral agents
1. Nucleoside analogues: Acyclovir, adefovir and tenofovir 2. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors 3. Protease inhibitors

Viruses differ from bacteria in that the former

1. Contain DNA and RNA in the nuclear material 2. Possess a cell wall 3. Do not possess the enzyme systems needed for essential metabolic activities 4. Do not replicate by binary fission 5. Are not susceptible to the action of penicillin