PARAMYXOVIRUS – RSV

PARAMYXOVIRUS – RSV

Morphology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

1. RSV is a single-stranded RNA virus with negative polarity.
2. The viral genome is divided into two segments, A and B.
3. Segment A codes for the envelope glycoproteins (G and F).
4. Segment B codes for the nucleoprotein (N) and the phosphoprotein (P).
5. The virus has a helical nucleocapsid.
6. The viral envelope is composed of lipid and protein.
7. The surface of the virus contains glycoproteins (G and F).

Clinical Features of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection

1. Incubation period: 4-6 days.
2. Symptoms: Runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, irritability, loss of appetite, and fever.
3. Complications: Bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
4. Target population: Infants and young children.
5. Transmission: Direct contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, and airborne droplets.
6. Seasonality: Most common in winter and early spring.
7. Diagnosis: Detection of RSV antigens or nucleic acids in respiratory secretions.

Pathogenesis of RSV Infection

1. → RSV enters the host cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis.
2. → The viral genome is released into the cytoplasm.
3. → The viral RNA is transcribed into mRNA.
4. → The viral proteins are synthesized.
5. → The new viral particles are assembled.
6. → The viral particles are released from the host cell.

Life Cycle of RSV

1. Attachment: RSV attaches to the host cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis.
2. Penetration: The viral genome is released into the cytoplasm.
3. Replication: The viral RNA is transcribed into mRNA.
4. Translation: The viral proteins are synthesized.
5. Assembly: The new viral particles are assembled.
6. Release: The viral particles are released from the host cell.

Memory Trick

"R-S-V stands for Runny nose, Sneezing, and Vomiting, Which are symptoms of RSV, a viral infection to fighting."