Herbal Remedies

MICROBIOLOGY:

MICROBIOLOGY:

Polyomavirus Infections
Capable of causing tumors in animals and humans
Can cause other diseases
BK and JC viruses are endemic worldwide
The result of infections with these viruses depends on the individual’s immune system
Normal immune systems tend to prevent latent infections
Compromised immune systems allow latent infections to become established in the kidneys
Polyomavirus Infections
Reactivation events are different between the BK and JC viruses
BK virus
Reactivation can cause potentially severe urinary tract infections
JC virus
Can cause a rare disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Viruses infect and kill the white matter of the central nervous system
Paralysis and death eventually result

Adenoviridae
Contain a single, linear dsDNA genome contained in a naked polyhedral capsid with spikes
One of the causative agents of the common cold
Spread via respiratory droplets
Respiratory infections
Viruses are taken into cells lining the respiratory tract via endocytosis
Symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and malaise
Infection of the intestinal tract can produce mild diarrhea
Infection of the conjunctiva can result in pinkeye

Hepadnaviridae
Enveloped DNA viruses with icosahedral capsids
The genome is composed of both single and double stranded DNA
Includes the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
HBV replicates through an RNA intermediary, a phenomenon unique among DNA viruses
HBV invades and replicates in liver cells
Hepatitis B Infections
Causes inflammation of the liver known as hepatitis
HBV is the only DNA virus that causes hepatitis
Viral infection can cause severe liver damage
Symptoms can include jaundice, enlargement of the liver, abdominal distress, and bleeding into the skin and internal organs
Coinfection with hepatitis D virus can increase the risk of permanent liver damage

Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of HBV Infections
Virions are shed into saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions
Transmission occurs when infected body fluids, particularly blood, come into contact with breaks in the skin or mucous membranes
Spread can occur through infected needles, sexual intercourse, and passage to babies during childbirth
Many infected individuals are asymptomatic or produce mild symptoms
HBV has been shown to be associated with liver cancer
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Diagnosis
Uses labeled antibodies to detect the presence of viral surface antigens released from HBV-infected cells
Treatment
No universally effective treatment
The best treatment is prevention
Prevention
Vaccination and safer sexual practices has helped reduce the number of cases of hepatitis B

Parvoviridae
Only human pathogen with a ssDNA genome
Smallest of the DNA viruses
Causes a number of diseases in animals
B19 is the primary parvovirus of humans
Causes erythema infectiosum, also called fifth disease
Infection results in a reddening of the skin
Sunlight aggravates the condition

Polyomavirus Infections
Capable of causing tumors in animals and humans
Can cause other diseases
BK and JC viruses are endemic worldwide
The result of infections with these viruses depends on the individual’s immune system
Normal immune systems tend to prevent latent infections
Compromised immune systems allow latent infections to become established in the kidneys
Polyomavirus Infections
Reactivation events are different between the BK and JC viruses
BK virus
Reactivation can cause potentially severe urinary tract infections
JC virus
Can cause a rare disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Viruses infect and kill the white matter of the central nervous system
Paralysis and death eventually result

Adenoviridae
Contain a single, linear dsDNA genome contained in a naked polyhedral capsid with spikes
One of the causative agents of the common cold
Spread via respiratory droplets
Respiratory infections
Viruses are taken into cells lining the respiratory tract via endocytosis
Symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and malaise
Infection of the intestinal tract can produce mild diarrhea
Infection of the conjunctiva can result in pinkeye

Hepadnaviridae
Enveloped DNA viruses with icosahedral capsids
The genome is composed of both single and double stranded DNA
Includes the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
HBV replicates through an RNA intermediary, a phenomenon unique among DNA viruses
HBV invades and replicates in liver cells
Hepatitis B Infections
Causes inflammation of the liver known as hepatitis
HBV is the only DNA virus that causes hepatitis
Viral infection can cause severe liver damage
Symptoms can include jaundice, enlargement of the liver, abdominal distress, and bleeding into the skin and internal organs
Coinfection with hepatitis D virus can increase the risk of permanent liver damage

Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of HBV Infections
Virions are shed into saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions
Transmission occurs when infected body fluids, particularly blood, come into contact with breaks in the skin or mucous membranes
Spread can occur through infected needles, sexual intercourse, and passage to babies during childbirth
Many infected individuals are asymptomatic or produce mild symptoms
HBV has been shown to be associated with liver cancer
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Diagnosis
Uses labeled antibodies to detect the presence of viral surface antigens released from HBV-infected cells
Treatment
No universally effective treatment
The best treatment is prevention
Prevention
Vaccination and safer sexual practices has helped reduce the number of cases of hepatitis B

Parvoviridae
Only human pathogen with a ssDNA genome
Smallest of the DNA viruses
Causes a number of diseases in animals
B19 is the primary parvovirus of humans
Causes erythema infectiosum, also called fifth disease
Infection results in a reddening of the skin
Sunlight aggravates the condition

Other Herpesvirus Infections
herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
Associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma, a cancer seen in AIDS patients
The virus is not found in cancer-free patients or in normal tissues of victims
Papillomavirus Infections Human
Causes papillomas, commonly known as warts
Benign growths of the epithelium of the skin or mucous membranes
Papillomas form on many body surfaces
Often painful and unsightly
Genital warts are associated with an increased risk of cancer

Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Papillomavirus Infections
Transmitted via direct contact and via fomites
Can also be spread from one location to another on a given person by autoinoculation
Viruses that cause genital warts invade the skin and mucous membranes during sexual intercourse
Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted disease
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Diagnosis
Usually based on observation of the papillomas
Diagnosis of cancers results from inspection of the genitalia and by a PAP smear in women
Treatment
Some warts can be removed through various methods
Treatment of cancers involves radiation and chemical therapy
Prevention
Prevention of most types of warts is difficult
Genital warts can be prevented by abstinence and perhaps safe sex