Viruses are the simplest of all life forms. They can be viewed as selfish genes with the single-minded purpose to replicate. Viruses are parasites, and their replication depends strictly on the machinery of cellular organisms. They have developed vehicles that allow for efficient transfer of their genes into host cells, supporting virus replication.
Replication of viruses is rarely subtle; instead it commonly results in damage or even death of the invaded cells. (more…)
Measles virus is a highly infectious viral disease characterized by a sore throat and a blotchy red rash that starts on the fac ...
Exacerbations of asthma are frequently associated with rhinoviral infection. Rhinoviruses infect respiratory epithelial cells, ...
The way in which pathogens spread through the body is influenced to some extent by whether they live intra-cellularly, extra-ce ...
Routes by which infectious organisms gain entry into the body include the skin, respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal (GI) tract ...
Most initial infections are local, i.e. the infectious agent gains entry to the body at a single site, e.g. via an insect bite ...