Unit 6 Virology Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of various human viruses and bacteriophages as detailed in the Unit 6 study guide.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

An enveloped RNA retrovirus that uses reverse transcriptase and attacks CD4+ T helper cells.

AIDS Diagnosis (CD4 Count Threshold)

An individual must be HIV-positive and have a CD4 count of less than $200\,\text{cells/mm}^3$ or CD4 cells less than $14\%$ of total lymphocytes.

AIDS-defining illness

An opportunistic infection or cancer used as one of the criteria for an AIDS diagnosis in an HIV-positive individual.

ELISA

The screening test used for the diagnosis of HIV.

Western blot

A test used for the confirmation of an HIV diagnosis alongside nucleic acid testing.

ART/HAART

Combination antiretroviral therapy used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

PrEP

A prevention method used to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Animal Virus Adsorption

The process where viral spikes bind to host cell receptors.

Bacteriophage Adsorption

The process where tail fibers bind to bacterial receptors.

Animal Virus Penetration

The multiplication step where the entire virus enters the host cell.

Bacteriophage Penetration

The multiplication step where only the nucleic acid enters the host cell.

Uncoating

A step required for animal virus multiplication but not for bacteriophages, as the phage capsid stays outside the host.

Budding

A release mechanism for enveloped animal viruses that distinguishes them from bacteriophages, which only use lysis.

Rhinovirus

The causative agent of the common cold, characterized as a naked RNA virus with more than $110$ serotypes.

Poliovirus

A naked RNA enterovirus transmitted via the fecal-oral route that may progress to paralysis.

Post-polio syndrome

A sequela of Poliovirus involving progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, and muscle atrophy occurring years after the initial infection.

IPV

The vaccination used for the prevention of Poliovirus.

Measles (Rubeola)

A virus transmitted by respiratory droplets or airborne spread, characterized by high fever, Koplik spots, and a maculopapular rash.

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

A fatal, progressive brain inflammation sequela of Measles that occurs years after the initial infection.

Koplik spots

Small spots in the mouth that serve as a clinical sign for diagnosing Measles.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

The causative agent of Chickenpox that remains dormant and can reactivate as Shingles.

Acyclovir

A treatment used for high-risk patients with Chickenpox and for patients with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

Multinucleated giant cells

A diagnostic indicator found during testing for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

Rabies Virus

A virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mammal that causes hydrophobia, fever, and confusion; survival is extremely rare once symptoms develop.

Mumps Virus

A virus transmitted via respiratory droplets that causes swollen parotid glands and can lead to complications such as orchitis.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

A virus causing bronchiolitis, wheezing, and pneumonia, with severe disease typically occurring in infants.

Poxvirus

The largest virus, considered atypical because it replicates in the cytoplasm.

Hepatitis D

A defective virus that requires the presence of Hepatitis B (HBV) to replicate.

Prions

Infectious proteins that contain no nucleic acid.

Viroids

Naked RNA molecules that infect plants.

Hepatitis A (HAV)

A naked RNA virus transmitted via the fecal-oral route that causes acute hepatitis but no chronic infection.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

An enveloped DNA virus transmitted through blood or sexual contact that can cause chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

An enveloped RNA virus transmitted via blood that commonly leads to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, for which there is no vaccine.