NURS2603 - Lecture 8: Basic Virology - Summary Notes
1. What are Viruses?
• Obligate intracellular parasites: They cannot replicate on their own and must hijack a
host cell's machinery.
• Not considered living: They lack their own metabolism, cannot grow, and do not reproduce
outside a host.
• Composition: Genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat (capsid).
Some have an outer lipid envelope.
2. Viral Structure (Key Components)
• Genetic Material: The core, can be DNA or RNA (single or double-stranded).
• Capsid: Protein shell made of capsomeres that protects the genetic material.
• Envelope: A host-derived lipid membrane present in some viruses (e.g., HIV, Flu, SARS-
CoV-2). Makes the virus more vulnerable to disinfectants.
• Spike Proteins: Glycoproteins on the surface that attach to specific host cell
receptors (e.g., SARS-CoV-2's Spike protein binds to ACE2 receptors on human lung cells).
• Enzymes: Some viruses carry their own replication enzymes (e.g., Reverse Transcriptase in
HIV, RdRp in SARS-CoV-2).
3. Virus Classification
Two main systems are used:
• ICTV System: Linnaean hierarchy (Realm → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order
→ Family → Genus → Species). Standardizes names (e.g., Betacoronavirus).
• Baltimore Classification: Based on genome type and replication strategy. There are 7
groups (e.g., Group IV: (+)ssRNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2; Group VI: ssRNA-RT viruses
like HIV).
4. Viral Replication Cycle (6 Steps)
The general steps a virus uses to infect a cell and multiply:
1. Attachment: Virus binds to host cell receptor via spikes.
2. Penetration: Virus enters the cell (e.g., via endocytosis).
3. Uncoating: The viral genetic material is released inside the cell.
4. Biosynthesis: Viral genes are replicated and viral proteins are made using the host's
machinery.
5. Assembly: New viral particles are put together.
6. Release: New viruses exit the cell, often destroying it or budding out.
5. Viral Virulence Factors (How They Cause Disease)
Virulence factors are molecules that help viruses attack and defend.
Category Factor Purpose Example
SWORD Attachment/Fusion Invade host cells Spike (SARS-CoV-2),
(Attack) Proteins gp120 (HIV)
Replication Enzymes Fast mutation to escape RdRp (HCV), Reverse
immunity Transcriptase (HIV)
Cytopathic Effects Kill host cells to spread Ebola VP24
SHIELD Latency Hide dormant in cells to VZV (Chickenpox →
(Defense) evade immune detection Shingles), HSV
Antigenic Variation Change surface proteins Flu (Antigenic
to evade antibodies Drift/Shift)
Immune Suppressors Block host immune SARS-CoV-2 (ORF6)
signals
6. Genetic Diversification (How Viruses Change)
Viruses change to create new variants and evade immunity.
Mechanism Description Example
Small, random errors during Flu antigenic drift, SARS-CoV-2
Mutation
replication (common in RNA viruses). variants
Shuffling of gene segments between Flu antigenic shift (e.g., 2009
Reassortment
viruses co-infecting the same cell. H1N1 pandemic)
Exchange of genetic material between SARS-CoV-2 variants (e.g.,
Recombination
viruses, creating hybrid genomes. XBB)
A defective virus uses proteins from a Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) needs
Complementation
helper virus to replicate. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
7. Key Takeaways for Nursing Practice
• Understanding virology is fundamental to infection control and prevention.
• Spike proteins are primary targets for vaccines and treatments (e.g., monoclonal antibodies).
• Viral latency explains reactivation diseases like shingles.
• Genetic change (especially in flu and SARS-CoV-2) is why vaccines need updating and why
new variants emerge.