18. Viruses, Viroids, & Prions

Recall from Chapter 1 that Koch's postulates are used to determine the etiology of a

disease. Why is it difficult to determine the etiology of

a. a viral infection, such as influenza?

b. cancer?

Which of the following is a potential feature of an animal virus? Select all that apply.

a. Presence of an envelope

b. Presence of a naked icosahedral capsid

c. Ability to inject naked RNA into the host cell

d. Ability to integrate into the host cell’s genome

e. Ability to cause host cell lysis

f. Ability to build DNA from an RNA template

You have been given a large grant to do postgraduate research on live smallpox viruses. Where in the world would you find samples?

Assume a new enveloped RNA virus is causing an epidemic. Which of the following may be useful to manage the disease? Select all that apply.

a. Injectable antibodies

b. Interferons

c. Antibiotics

d. Nucleoside analogs

Define the following terms, and give an example of how each reaction is used diagnostically:

a. Viral hemagglutination

b. Hemagglutination inhibition

c. Passive agglutination

Translate the following identification label on a vial of influenzavirus: B/Kuwait (H1N3).

DNA viruses in which of the following families are relatively large and thus potentially

well suited for the introduction of genetic material in gene therapy?

a. Herpesviridae

b. Poxviridae

c. Papillomaviridae

d. Hepadnaviridae

Several laboratory tests are used to identify viruses. From your study of this chapter alone, which tests would you surmise are the most common?

Which component of a virus allows the virus to bind to and enter the host cell?

An accidental needle stick occurs during the routine treatment of an HIV-positive patient who arrives at your clinic. Immediate administration of _______________ can block viral entry.

a. Enfuvirtide

b. Vapendavir

c. AZT

d. Amantadine