Adenovirus
Classification General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of adenovirus Clinically relevant species Epidemiology Pathogenesis Reservoir Transmission Host risk factors The virus is most prevalent in: Viral replication cycle Pathophysiology The site of entry generally dictates the type of infection; 2 processes can occur: Clinical Presentation Most adenovirus infections are asymptomatic. The infections with clinically apparent […]
Epstein-Barr Virus
Classification General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Also known as human herpesvirus 4 Taxonomy: Family: Herpesviridae Subfamily: Gammaherpesvirinae Genus: Lymphocryptovirus DNA virus Linear Double stranded > 85 genes Structure: Core (contains DNA) Icosahedral protein nucleocapsid Tegument (contains viral proteins and enzymes) Lipid envelope and glycoprotein spikes Associated diseases Acute infectious mononucleosis […]
Rabies Virus
Classification General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of rabies virus Associated disease Rabies virus causes the disease rabies. Epidemiology Pathogenesis Reservoir Mammalian species serve as hosts. In the United States, these may include: Transmission Human infection is almost always due to a bite by an infected mammal. Host risk factors Susceptibility to lethal infection is […]
Trypanosoma cruzi/Chagas disease
General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of Trypanosoma cruzi Associated disease American trypanosomiasis is called Chagas disease. Epidemiology Pathogenesis Reservoir Transmission Host risk factors Life cycle and pathophysiology Clinical Presentation Acute infection The incubation period is approximately 1–2 weeks, and the infection lasts 8–12 weeks. Chronic infection A minority of patients develop chronic infection, which […]
Chikungunya Virus
Classification General Characteristics Basic features Chikungunya virus: Epidemiology Geographic distribution: Pathogenesis Vectors Reservoirs Transmission Host risk factors Pathophysiology Clinical Presentation Neonatal infection Infection of newborns is seen within 1 week of delivery. Signs and symptoms include: Infection of children and adults The incubation period is 3–7 days. Symptoms of chikungunya fever appear within 1 week […]
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
Classification General Characteristics Basic features of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Taxonomy: Epidemiology Pathogenesis Reservoir Arenaviruses: cause chronic infections in rodents (house mouse, Mus musculus) Transmission Life cycle Host risk factors Disease process LCMV is not cytotoxic, but while the host immune response tries to eliminate the virus, this may also trigger immune-mediated disease. The immune […]
Dengue Virus
Classification General Characteristics and Epidemiology Basic features of dengue virus (DENV) Clinically relevant species Four distinct serotypes (DENV 1–4) cause dengue infection. Epidemiology Pathogenesis Reservoir Transmission Host risk factors Viral replication cycle Pathophysiology Clinical Presentation The majority of patients will be asymptomatic. Those with symptomatic disease may experience 3 phases: febrile, critical, and convalescent. Febrile […]
Enterococcus
Classification General Characteristics Enterococci (formerly classified as group D streptococci) are part of the normal flora of the human GI tract. Fewer than ⅓ of the known species are responsible for clinically significant human disease. Genus characteristics Pathogenesis Enterococci most commonly appear in nosocomial infections. Clinical Relevance Epidemiology Diseases caused by enterococci Organism isolation Antibiotic […]
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Classification General Characteristics Taxonomy and structure Basic features Clinically relevant species Pathogenesis Transmission and replication cycle Transmission: Respiratory droplets from an infected individual come into contact with the mucosa of the eyes, mouth, or nose of another individual. Replication cycle: Natural reservoirs Pathophysiology Diseases Caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Although RSV is limited to the […]
Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
Epidemiology and Etiology Epidemiology Etiology Lymphatic filariasis is caused by nematodes. Causative species: General characteristics: Stages of life: Transmitted to mosquitoes: Pathophysiology Transmission Life cycle Disease process Clinical Presentation Symptoms may take 9 months up to 1 year to manifest after the initial infection. Children or individuals in endemic areas often remain asymptomatic (subclinical infection), […]