Viral Infections

Front 1

Virus antigen detection

Back 1

Rapid, same day
Fluorescent labelled monoclonal
Used in some situations eg suspected viral resp tract infection

Front 2

PCR for viral identification

Back 2

Most commonly used
Can also quantify
RNA viruses need a reverse transcriptase step to make cDNA
Can also screen for drug resistance

Front 3

Serology

Back 3

To detect characteristics of the host response
Determine if infection is primary or reinfection
Evaluate course of infection
Id viruses difficult to isolate or grow
But watch for other people's antibodies through transfusion

Front 4

Criteria for identifying primary infection using serology

Back 4

Presence of igm produced in acute
Four fold increase in igg in paired serum samples taken 1-2 weeks apart
Seroconversion eg CMV IgG negative to positive

Front 5

Latex agglutination

Back 5

Latex particles coated with viral antigens
Will detect all types of antigen

Front 6

ELISA

Back 6

Colour change
Enzyme labelled specific antibodies
Antigen
Capture antibody
Plastic

Front 7

Test for Ebola with

Back 7

ELISA igm
PCR best
IHC

Front 8

Resporatory synctial virus

Back 8

Paramyxovirus
ssRNA in helical nucleocaspid
Most common cause of acute rti in children
90% get it before second birthday
Fever tachypnea tachycardia and wheezes
Bronchiolitis - partial blocking with collapse and hyper inflation
May cause pneumonia
May also be significant problem in the elderly
Id with PCR
Supportive therapy
Aerosolised ribavirin not great only given in severely ill, RNA polymerase inhibitor

Front 9

RSV prevention

Back 9

RSV ig iv monthly to high risk infants palivizumab during RSV season
Control of infection

Front 10

Influenza virus

Back 10

Orthomyxovirus
Negative sense ssRNA
Haemaglutanin and neuraminidase
Type A affects man and animals
Type B man only
Type c doubtful pathogenicity

Front 11

Presentation of influenza

Back 11

Abrupt onset, short duration
Fever
Dry cough
Myalgia
Severe malaise
Severity proportional to age

Front 12

Complication of influenza

Back 12

Primary viral pneumonia
Secondary bacterial pneumonia classically staph aureus
Bronchitis
Myositis and cardiac involvement
Neuro symptoms eg encephalopathy/ itis

Front 13

Treatment of influenza

Back 13

Oseltamivir
Zanamivir
They are neuraminidase inhibitors preventing virus penetration