MOC - Virology
Viral structure, replication strategies, major families, and antivirals/vaccines.
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Overview
Viruses are obligate intracellular molecular parasites — acellular, genome in a protein coat (± envelope). Classification and diagnostics differ sharply from bacteria (Microbial Classification).
Key Subtopics
- Structure: capsid, envelope, genome (DNA/RNA; ss/ds; ± sense)
- Replication cycles and Baltimore-style thinking
- Pathogenesis & latency
- Vaccines & antivirals
- Lab: culture (limited), antigen, serology, PCR / Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), sequencing
Core Virus Notes
| Virus | Genome / key trait | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza Virus | Segmented (−)ssRNA; drift/shift | Respiratory, vaccination, NA inhibitors |
| HIV | Retrovirus; RT + integration | Lifelong ART; resistance genotyping |
| SARS-CoV-2 | (+)ssRNA coronavirus | Pandemic; spike variants; mRNA vaccines |
| HSV | dsDNA herpesvirus; latency | HSV Encephalitis; acyclovir; CSF PCR |
| Varicella-Zoster Virus | Alpha-herpes; ganglia latency | Varicella/zoster; vaccines |
| Cytomegalovirus | Beta-herpes; transplant/HIV | Quantitative PCR; congenital |
| Epstein-Barr Virus | Gamma-herpes; B-cell | Mononucleosis; serology |
| Hepatitis B Virus | Hepadnavirus; RT step | HBsAg/anti-HBs; vaccine |
| Hepatitis C Virus | Flavivirus RNA | anti-HCV + RNA; DAAs |
| Measles Virus | Morbillivirus; high R₀ | MMR; IgM/IgG |
DNA vs RNA (scaffold)
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DNA viruses | HSV, Varicella-Zoster Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, adenovirus, HPV, Hepatitis B Virus | Latency common in herpesviruses |
| RNA viruses | Influenza Virus, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, Hepatitis C Virus, Measles Virus, rabies | Higher mutation rates |
| Special | HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (RT steps) | Cross antiretroviral / hepatology care |
Diagnostic Links
- MOC - Diagnostic & Lab Methods
- Kary Mullis · PCR · Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
- Computational: Viral Genomics and Surveillance · Phylodynamics · Metagenomics
History Anchors
- Edward Jenner (vaccination) · Louis Pasteur (rabies vaccine)
Related MOCs
- MOC - Fundamentals of Microbiology · MOC - Clinical Microbiology · MOC - Immunology · MOC - Antimicrobials
- MOC - Bioinformatics in Microbiology · MOC - AI in Microbiology · MOC - Public Health & Epidemiology
- Vaccines: Vaccination · AI for Vaccine Design
Build Status
| Cluster | Status |
|---|---|
| Hub scaffold | done |
| Priority virus pages | ✅ 2026-08-02 |
| Extended set (VZV, CMV, EBV, HBV, HCV, measles) | ✅ 2026-08-02 |
| Rabies, adenovirus, HPV, RSV, arboviruses | optional backlog |