Retrovirus is a family of viruses in which the genetic material consists of RNA. Microorganisms contain reverse transcriptase.
Retroviruses are microscopic organisms that can cause certain types of cancer, various viral infections. Moreover, pathologies can occur not only in humans, but also in animals. In humans, retroviruses cause HIV infection (AIDS).
Features of the virus
Retroviruses are unique organisms. They are able to reproduce by being transcribed into DNA. They enter the bloodstream, the process of transcription begins. After its completion, the viral genome gains full access to the DNA of the host cell and begins to reproduce all the processes that occur with it. In daughter cells, viral DNA creates RNA copies. This process can go on for a long time, but eventually the copies leave the daughter cells and become covered with a protein coat. As a result, retroviruses cause a change in the normal replication process that occurs in cells, in which RNA is involved. This process is reversed. The infected cells themselves remain in the body for a long time. In some cases, the cells that are being changed are destroyed, as is the case with HIV infection, and sometimes they becomein cancer.
Retroviruses include the Retroviridae family of viruses. They are prone to mutations, which is why they quickly acquire resistance to antiviral drugs. Because of this feature, it is difficult to fight a retrovirus infection.
Some people think a retrovirus is just a flu-like virus, but it's not. This species is dangerous and almost impossible to deal with. To counteract, it is necessary to develop special treatment regimens using antiviral drugs. In order not to become infected with a retrovirus infection, it is easier to carry out preventive measures in the form of routine vaccinations.
Despite the fact that retroviruses can cause life-threatening diseases, they are easy to overcome with ordinary soap and water: washing your hands with soap and water is enough to decontaminate. Barrier prevention measures are being used to prevent the spread, including rubber gloves, face masks, and some brands of condoms.
Classification of retroviruses
The first examples of a retrovirus and its effects on a living organism were described over a hundred years ago. Since then, interest in the microorganism has grown tremendously. Now retroviruses are divided into the following types:
- Family of oncogenic viruses. This variety contributes to the development of sarcomas and leukemia in humans and animals. One of the most important representatives of this type of disease is the human T-lymphotropic virus.
- Lentivirus family. The prominent representative of the group isHIV.
- Spumavirus family. This species is not associated with any pathologies, but is capable of causing changes at the cellular level.
As the morphology of the virus was studied, a variety of types of organisms were identified, which were divided into several groups:
- Shellless organisms.
- Shell species with acentric nucleocapsid arrangement.
- Shell species in which the nucleocapsid is located centrally.
- Viruses of large size with a minimum number of spikes.
Virus RNA has several reading frames of information, respectively, it will encode only certain groups of structural proteins: Gag, CA, MA and NC groups.
Pathologies caused by RNA viruses
There are a number of pathologies that are caused by RNA viruses. These include:
- Flu.
- Rubella.
- Measles
- Viral enteritis.
- Mumps.
- Enterovirus infections.
- HIV
- T-lymphotropic human infection type 1.
- T-lymphotropic human infection type 2.
RNA viruses can trigger the development of sarcomas and leukemias.
Acute retroviral syndrome in HIV
Among all existing pathologies caused by RNA-containing microorganisms, the most common is acute retroviral syndrome. This is a primary infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, lasting up to six months after infection.
After contracting HIV, it usually takes a few weeksup to several months. At this time, there are no clinical manifestations of infection. This asymptomatic period is called the incubation period. In some cases, it can last up to a year.
Symptoms of a retrovirus appear gradually, starting with the defeat of the upper respiratory tract, as with the flu, although much more often in patients, the onset of the pathology proceeds as mononucleosis:
- appears stomatitis, pharyngitis with damage to the lymph nodes;
- body temperature rises;
- appetite decreases, patient begins to lose weight;
- nausea, stool disorder;
- the size of the spleen and liver increase;
- rash appears on the skin;
- aseptic meningitis develops, the mental state of the patient is disturbed, neuritis appears.
Diagnosis of the syndrome
The acute phase of the pathology lasts about ten days. To establish that the patient has a viral pathology, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis: HIV RNA is detected in the plasma. Then, confirmation of the acute phase of the retroviral syndrome is carried out. For this, a re-analysis is carried out. If, after three weeks, antibodies to HIV are found in the blood, and in the general analysis, leukopenia and lymphopenia, then an acute phase can be assumed.
If the disease is not detected and treated during this phase, the symptoms of the retrovirus may subside for several years. The only clinical manifestation may be an increase in lymph nodes.
If the diagnosis is made on time, and the treatment of the retrovirusprescribed correctly, then patients can live with pathology for more than twenty years.
Treatment
There are many different opinions about initial treatment, but they all boil down to the fact that therapy should be started immediately after diagnosis, without waiting for clinical manifestations and complications.
Knowing what kills the retrovirus, the doctor can choose the right treatment regimen and prescribe antiviral drugs. Usually, two antiretroviral drugs are selected, which are taken under laboratory control of blood serum.
Most prescribed:
- drugs belonging to the reverse transcriptase nucleoside group;
- means from the protease group;
- drugs related to non-nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors.
The treatment of secondary pathologies plays a huge role in the treatment of retroviral infection. To this end, the doctor prescribes a complete examination, during which they determine what ailments the patient suffers from. After identifying chronic diseases, a therapy is selected to get rid of the disease or to achieve a stable remission.
As an additional treatment, vitamin therapy, physiotherapy, immunotherapy, nutrition correction are mandatory.
After treatment, the patient will have to see a doctor all his life, lead a he althy lifestyle, follow strict recommendations. Otherwise, the retrovirus may reactivate.
T-lymphotropic human viruses
T-lymphotropic pathologies are divided into twotypes: type 1 and type 2. Each of them is represented by certain ailments caused by RNA viruses.
The first type of T-lymphotropic infection includes T-cell leukemia, lymphoma and tropical spastic paraparesis. In epidemiological areas where there is a high level of T-lymphotropic virus infection, dermatitis, pneumonia, and arthritis are diagnosed.
T-lymphotropic type 2 infection causes T-cell lymphoma and some types of leukemia. In rare cases, the microorganism can lead to the development of hairy cell leukemia.
In conclusion
Any infection is easier to prevent than to treat, and especially infection with RNA viruses. To be he althy, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene, wash your hands with soap and water. Good immunity and a he althy lifestyle will help protect against pathology.
To prevent retroviral infections, you should make it a habit to wash your hands every time you enter the house from the street, before every meal. It is mandatory to use barrier means - condoms, rubber gloves, masks. These simple rules will help minimize the risk of contracting a retrovirus infection.