General Principles of Viral Infections

ABSTRACT
Viruses are characterized by their small size, obligate intracellular parasitism,
possession of either an RNA or a DNA genome. The genome is protected by a coat
or capsid consisting of protein subunits (capsomeres). Each capsomere is made of
1-3 polypeptides. Some viruses have a lipid envelope. The nucleid acid is often
complexed with a protein. The nucleic acid core and the capsid are together know
as the nucleocapsid. The complete virus particle is termed the virion. Viruses gain
access to the host through skin and mucous membranes and via the respiratory,
gastroinstestinal and genital tracts. Viruses vary widely in the range of hosts and
tissues that they can infect. Members of some families cause a wide range of
syndromes, whereas the illnesses due to others are much more limited in number.
Viral infection of cell may result in lysis, fusion and syncytium formation, the
appearance of inclusion bodies, or transformation to cell with characteristics of
malignancy. In human, viral infection follow various basic patterns: acute nonpersistent, acute following by persistent latent infection and chronic with continued
shedding of virus. The two main components of specific immunity to virus infections
are: 1) antibodies produced by B lymphocytes in co-operation with antigenpresenting cells and T lymphocytes. 2) cell-mediated immunity (CMI) conferred by a
variety of T lymphocytes. The response to infections by some viruses are
complicated by their ability to replicate in lymphocytes and macrophages.
Interferons may help to suppress virus replication during the early stages of
infection before antibodies and CMI are fully mobilized. The type and mechanisms of
the immune responses vary considerably in different virus infections.

LEARNING TASK :
1. Describe general properties and classification of viruses :
a. The architecture of viruses
b. The classification of viruses
c. The range of disease caused by viruses
2. Describe how viruses multiply
3. Describe how interaction between viruses and host cell :
a. The spread of viruses in the host
b. The patterns of diseases
4. Describe how host defenses against viral infection

CASE :
A 6-year-old boy is brought to your office for evaluation of fever, ear pain and
swollen cheeks. His mother reports that hes had 3 or 4 days of low-grade fever and
seemed tired. Yesterday he developed the sudden onset of ear pain and swelling of
the cheeks along with a higher fever. He is an only child and neither of the parents
has been ill recently. He has had no significant medical illnesses in his life, but his
parents decided not to give him the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
because they read that it could cause autism. On examination, his temperature is
38,60C and his pulse is 105 beats per minute. He has swollen parotid glands
bilaterally to the point that his earlobes are pushed up, and the angle of his
mandibula is indistinct. His tympanic membrane appear normal. Opening his mouth
causes pain, but the posterior pharynx appears normal. He has bilateral cervical
adenopathy.
Question :
1. What is the cause of this childs illness?
2. What is clinical correlation or the specific symptom of this illness?
3. How does the virus spread?
4. How to diagnose this illness
5. How to prevention and treatment this illness?

Reference :
Murray P.R, Rosental K.S, Pfaller M.A. 2005. Mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. In :
Medical Microbiology. 5th edition. Elsevier-Mosby co. p: 491-511
Collier L., Oxford J. Human 2003. Human Virology. Second edition. Oxford University
press. p: 4-47