Life At Risk: Infectious Disease

Virus Noncellular infectious agent Consists of protein wrapped around a nucleic-acid core Cannot reproduce itself; can only be reproduced using a host cell

Viral Body Plans Genetic material is DNA or RNA Coat is protein Complex virus (bacteriophage) Polyhedral virusHelical virus

Enveloped Virus (HIV) lipid envelope; proteins span the envelope, line its inner surface, spike out above it viral coat (proteins)

Viral Multiplication - Basic Steps Virus attaches to host cell Whole virus or genetic material enters host Viral DNA or RNA directs host to make viral genetic material and protein Viral nucleic acids and proteins are assembled New viral particles are released from cell

Replication of an Enveloped Virus DNA replication Transcription of viral genes Translation Proteins Assembly

Prions Small proteins Linked to human diseases –Kuru –Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Animal diseases –Scrapie in sheep –Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)

Bacteria Were first living organisms Prokaryotic

Bacterial Characteristics No membrane-bound nucleus Single chromosome Cell wall in most species Prokaryotic fission Metabolic diversity

Bacterial Shapes coccusbacillus spirillum

Prokaryotic Body Plan bacterial flagellum pilus capsule cell wallplasma membrane DNA ribosomes in cytoplasm

Bacterial Genes Bacteria have a single chromosome –Circular molecule of DNA Many bacteria also have plasmids –Self-replicating circle of DNA that has a few genes –Can be passed from one cell to another

Prokaryotic Fission

Antibiotics Can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and some other microorganisms Have no effect on viruses Antibiotic-resistance is a growing problem

Parasitic Protozoa Entamoeba histolytica - amoebic dysentery Giardia lamblia - giardiasis Trypanosoma brucei - African trypanosomiasis Cryptosporidium parvum - cryptosporidosis

Parasitic Worms Pinworms Tapeworms Hookworms Ascaris roundworms

Malaria Symptoms known for more than 2,000 years Most prevalent in tropical and subtropical parts of Africa Kills a million Africans each year Caused by four species of Plasmodium Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes

Plasmodium Life Cycle sporozoites merozoite Male and female gametocytes in blood sporozoites Gametes form in mosquito gut, combine to form zygotes Offspring enter blood, cause malarial symptoms

Disease Transmission Direct contact with a pathogen Indirect contact Inhaling pathogens that have been spewed into the air Contact with a vector

Disease Patterns Sporadic disease (whooping cough) Endemic disease (common cold) Epidemic (cholera in Peru) Pandemic (AIDS)

Virulence Relative ability of a pathogen to cause serious disease Low virulence - common cold High virulence - rabies

AIDS Combination of disorders that follows infection with HIV Includes –Yeast (Candida) infections –Pneumocystis pneumonia –Karposi’s sarcoma

HIV Replication (1) RNA retrovirus A protein (gp120) at virus surface binds to host cells with CD4 and chemokine receptors These receptors occur on helper T cells Once bound, RNA and viral enzymes enter the host cell

HIV Replication (2) Viral RNA is reverse-transcribed to DNA HIV DNA is called provirus; it inserts into host DNA The host cell makes copies of viral DNA and viral proteins that assemble to form new virus particles

T-Cell Decline Release of new viral particles kills the host T cell The body is constantly making new T cells, but cannot outpace the rate of destruction As infection proceeds, T-cell numbers inevitably decline

Effect of T-Cell Decline CD4 helper T cells play a vital role in immune function They are required for both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity Infected individual becomes vulnerable to other infections, which eventually result in death

Transmission of HIV HIV does not live long outside human body Most often spread by exchange of bodily fluids with an infected person In the U.S., anal intercourse and needle sharing are main modes of transmission

Transmission of HIV Less commonly transmitted by vaginal intercourse and oral sex Can travel from mothers to offspring during pregnancy, birth, or breast- feeding Not known to be transmitted by food, air, water, casual contact, or insect bites

AIDS Test Should know HIV status of potential partner A person can test negative and still have and transmit the virus Test detects antibodies that appear weeks to months after infection

Treatment No cure Once HIV genes are incorporated, no way to get them out AZT and other drugs slow the course of the disease and increase life span Researchers continue to develop drugs and to work toward an AIDS vaccine

Safer Sex Use a latex condom Limit partners Get to know a prospective partner before sex Be alert to signs of ailments of the genitals Avoid abuse of alcohol and drugs

Chlamydial Infections Most common reported STD in U.S. A variety of diseases caused by bacterium Leads to inflammation of cervix in female, burning urination in both sexes In females, can spread to uterus and oviducts to cause PID

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Complication of many bacterial STDs Bacteria infect uterus, oviducts, ovaries Symptoms include bleeding, vaginal discharge, pain in lower abdomen Increases likelihood of ectopic pregnancy Can cause sterility

Gonorrhea Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae Females often symptom-free in early stages, males discharge pus Can cause sterility if untreated Can be cured with antibiotics

Syphilis Caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum (a kind of bacterium) Early symptoms are painless chancres; later an extensive rash In some, immune response to infection causes damage to brain and spinal cord Passage from mother to infant can cause stillbirth, infection of newborn

Genital Herpes Caused by Herpes simplex Type II Periodic eruption of small, painful blisters on genitals Infection requires contact with fluid from these sores Antiviral drugs can reduce pain but there is no cure

Human Papillomaviruses HPV can cause bumplike warts on the genitals and anus One strain, 16 HPV, does not cause symptoms It can lead to cancers of cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, and anus There is no cure

Type B Hepatitis (HBV) DNA virus attacks liver cells Transmitted in blood or body fluids such as saliva, vaginal secretions, and semen Blood test can reveal HBV or antibodies HBV vaccination for people at risk

Vaginitis Vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis) –Treated with antifungal medication –Both partners may need to be treated to prevent reinfection Trichomoniasis –Both partners are treated with an antibiotic