Case studies for viruses

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a retrovirus that primarily infects CD4+ cells and leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

CD4+ cells

A type of immune cell targeted by HIV, crucial for the immune response.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by HIV that compromises the immune system.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that incorporates its genetic material into the host’s DNA.

Mutation

A change in the genetic material of a virus that can lead to new strains.

RNA virus

A virus that has RNA as its genetic material, prone to high mutation rates.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme used by HIV to replicate its RNA genome, known for being error-prone.

Virulent

A term used to describe the severity or harmfulness of a virus.

Transmissible

The ability of a virus to be spread from one individual to another.

Vaccine efficacy

The effectiveness of a vaccine in preventing the disease it is designed to protect against.

Haemagglutinin

A surface protein of influenza viruses that plays a key role in entering host cells.

Neuraminidase

An enzyme on the surface of influenza viruses that helps in the release of new virions from infected cells.

Reassortment

A process in which genetic material is exchanged between different strains of a virus, leading to new variants.

SARS-CoV-2

The virus that causes COVID-19, an RNA virus with spike proteins important for host cell recognition.

Spike proteins

Proteins on the surface of coronaviruses that facilitate entry into host cells.

Variants

New strains of a virus that emerge when genetic mutations occur significantly enough to differ from the original.