Virology

• Coxsackie A virus, Coxsackie B virus, and the

  echoviruses are most commonly implicated in

  myocarditis and other syndromes, including acute

  cerebellar ataxia and hepatitis
• Rotaviruses have been implicated in both

  nosocomial infections and epidemic gastroenteritis.

  Children 3–24 months old are most commonly

  affected
• Parvovirus causes a fever and characteristic “slapped

  cheek” rash in young children
• Norwalk-like viruses produce

  infections in all age groups. implicated in epidemics of community

  gastroenteritis as well as sporadic infections.
• The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause genital

  warts. Several strains, including HPV-6, HPV-11,

  HPV-16, and HPV-18, are associated with cervical

  and vaginal neoplasia
• Testing for viral antigen in culture

  is used for detection of RSV, CMV, and varicella

  zoster.
• Direct immunofluorescence testing of vesicle

  (lesion) fluid for virus using fluorescein-conjugated

  antibodies is the most rapid method for diagnosis

  of genital herpes infection
• Patients who present with an infectious

  mononucleosis-like syndrome should be tested for

  both EBV and CMV
• West Nile virus causes neurological diseases with

  meningitis and encephalitis at the top of the list
• Hantavirus is transmitted by a rodent host, the

  deer mouse. Breathing in excrement from the mouse is the most

  common route of infection, and the lung is the site

  of initial infection
• The decision to initiate antiviral therapy is based

  upon the presence or absence of symptoms, CD4

  lymphocyte count, and the viral load