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HCD 12203 Basic Medical Microbiology Click to edit Master subtitle

HCD 12203 Basic Medical Microbiology

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INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRUSES Click to edit Master subtitle

VIRUSES

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General Structure of Viruses

Size range most <0.2 m; requires electron microscope Virion fully formed virus able to establish an infection

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General Structure of Viruses

Capsids All viruses have capsids - protein coats that enclose and protect their nucleic acid. Each capsid is constructed from identical subunits called capsomers made of protein. The capsid together with the nucleic acid are nucleoscapsid. Some viruses have an external covering called envelope; those lacking an envelope are naked

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Two Structural Types

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Two Structural Types

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General Structure of Viruses

Viral envelope mostly animal viruses acquired when the virus leaves the host cell exposed proteins on the outside of the envelope, called spikes, essential for attachment of the virus to the host cell

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Functions of Capsid/Envelope

Protects the nucleic acid when the virion is outside the host cell Helps to bind the virion to a cell surface and assists the penetration of the viral DNA or RNA into a suitable host cell

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Complex viruses: atypical viruses Poxviruses lack a typical capsid and are covered by a dense layer of lipoproteins. Some bacteriophages have a polyhedral nucleocapsid along with a helical tail and attachment fibers.

General Structure of Viruses

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Nucleic Acids
DNA viruses usually double stranded (ds) but may be single stranded (ss) circular or linear RNA viruses usually single stranded, may be double stranded, may be segmented into separate RNA pieces ssRNA genomes ready for 6/12/12 immediate

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General Structure

Pre-formed enzymes may be present. polymerases DNA or RNA replicases copy DNA reverse transcriptase synthesis of DNA from RNA (AIDS virus)

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Classifying Viruses

Main criteria presently used are structure, chemical composition, and genetic makeup. No taxa above Family (no kingdom, phylum, etc.) Currently recognized: 3 orders, 63 families, and 263 genera of viruses Family name ends in -viridae,

i.e. Herpesviridae Simplexvirus

Genus name ends in virus,

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Prions and Other Infectious Particles

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Other noncellular infectious agents

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