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Related Concept Videos

Infection01:20

Infection

7.7K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
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Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

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Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
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Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

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Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
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Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

11.4K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
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Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

32.2K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
32.2K

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The consequences of SARS-CoV-2 within-host persistence.

Alex Sigal1,2,3, Richard A Neher4,5, Richard J Lessells6,7

  • 1The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. alexander.sigal@mail.huji.ac.il.

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Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised individuals can lead to viral evolution and new variants. This review explores viral persistence, its link to variants, and the potential role in long COVID.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • SARS-CoV-2 typically causes acute respiratory infection, but some immunocompromised individuals experience persistent infections.
  • Persistent SARS-CoV-2 replication can lead to rapid accumulation of mutations, potentially driving the evolution of new variants.
  • The role of persistent SARS-CoV-2 replication in the development of long COVID remains controversial, despite detection of viral material in various body compartments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence.
  • To examine the process of intra-host evolution in persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections.
  • To explore the connection between persistent infections, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the pathophysiology of long COVID.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 persistence and evolution.
  • Analysis of studies investigating viral shedding and mutation accumulation in persistent infections.
  • Examination of evidence linking viral persistence to long COVID symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections facilitate accelerated viral evolution, potentially leading to antibody escape and enhanced cellular infection.
  • The emergence of extensively mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants may be influenced by evolution within single individuals.
  • While viral RNA and proteins are found long after initial infection in long COVID cases, replication-competent virus has not been cultured from immunocompetent individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding viral persistence is crucial for comprehending SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and the emergence of variants.
  • Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections may play a significant role in the development of long COVID.
  • Insights into viral persistence could have broader implications for managing other emerging viral diseases.