Paramyxoviridae

Paramyxoviridae
-All members initiate infection in RT

-Parainfluenza & RSV Remain limited to respiratory

epithelium

- Mumps & measles become disseminated throughout

the body and produce generalized disease
PARAMYXOVIRIDAE
 PARAMYXOVIRIDAE

Two sub- families

• Paramyxovirinae

• Pneumovirinae
 The Paramyxovirinae subfamily is
divided into 4 genera, 3 of which are
important:

1. Genus respirovirus: which include parainfluenza viruses 1 & 3 viruses

2. Genus Rubulavirus which include parainfluenza virus 2 &4 as well as

mumps virus

3. Genus morbillivirus which include the measles (rubeola) virus

 The Pneumovirinae subfamily is
divided into two genera:
1. Genus pneumovirus which include
respiratory syncytial virus RSV

2. Genus metapneumovirus which

include: human metapneumovirus
Human Metapneumovirus
The human metapneumovirus which is a respiratory
pathogen first described in 2001.
It appears to be widespread in young adults & older
persons.

Human metapneumovirus is able to cause a wide

range of respiratory illnesses from
MILD UR TO SEVERE LRT
DISEASE
 MORPHOLOGY
• The paramyxoviruses are enveloped
particles,

• Large (150-300 nm in diameter).

• The viral genome is composed of:

• a negative sense
• linear
• single stranded,
• non segmented RNA molecule.
 MORPHOLOGY
• Structural proteins are complexed
with RNA to form the nucleocapsid.

• The nucleocapsid is surrounded by a

lipid envelope that is superimposed
with spikes (glycoprotein in nature).
 MORPHOLOGY

• These spikes differentiated into two

types:
- “haemagglutinin-neuraminidase”
spike (HN)

- “fusion” (F) spike.

 MORPHOLOGY
“HN” and “F” spikes are both
antigenic, They are responsible for:
- host cell attachment,
- mediation of membrane fusion,
- haemolysin activity

• The are key factors in infection and

pathogenesis.
 Characteristics of the genera in the
subfamilies of the family
Paramyxoviridae
Property Paramyxovirinae Pneumovirinae

Respiro Rubula Morbilli Pneumo metapneumo

Human Parainfluenza Mumps, Measles RSV Human

1,3 metapneumo
viruses parainfluenza
2,4a,4b virus
Serotypes 1 each 1 each 1 2 ??

F Prot + + + + +
_______ + + + NO HAEMOLYIN
Haemolysin
NO HA
NO NA
+2 +2 +3
HA
+2 +2 NO NA
NA
 The activities of the
surface glycoprotein
• F glycoprotein …. Also carries Hemolysin activity

• HN glycoprotein ….Hemagglutination and

neuraminidase activities

• Hemagglutination of erythrocytes is more

efficient by H glycoprotein that lacks
neuraminidase activity
 The difference between the
orthomyxo & paramyxoviruses
Orthomyxoviruses Paramyxoviruses

Diseases caused in Influenza types A, B and C Parainfluenza 1-4

humans infections, RSV diseaes,
mumps and measles
genome ssRNA ssRNA
8 segmented, nonsegmented
-ve sense –ve sense
Fusion of virus Endosome Plasma membrane
with cell
Transcription of HOST CELL NUCLEUS Host cell cytoplasm
viral RNA
Genetic frequent Rare
reassortment
Rate of antigentic high low
change
 Parainfluenza Viruses

• Parainfluenza viruses are ubiquitous and

cause common respiratory illness of
varying severity in all age groups

• Transmission: droplet
 Parainfluenza Viruses

• TYPE 1,2,& 3 are particularly considered major pathogens of

severe respiratory tract disease in infants & young
children

• Type 4 does not cause severe disease even on primary

infection.
 Parainfluenza Viruses
• 1ry infections in young children usually
result in
• Rhinitis
• Pharyngitis
• However children with primary infection
caused by serotypes 1,2 or 3 may have
serious illness ranging from:

– Laryngeotracheobronchitis (croup/stridor)

– Bronchiolitis & pneumonia mainly type 3

age < 6month
 MOST IMPORTANT
Acute laryngeo-tracheobronchitis
• Croup : stridor

• Caused mainly by serotype 1 & 2

• age 6 -18 month

• incubation period 2 to 6 days

– subglottal sweling, which endangers the airway.

– The principal differential diagnosis is epiglottitis

caused by Haemophilus influenza.
 PARAMYXOVIRIDAE
Two sub- families
• Paramyxovirinae
• Genus respirovirus: Parainfluenza 1 &3
• Genus Rubulavirus Parainfluenza 2 & 4 and mumps virus
• Genus morbillivirus measles virus

• Pneumovirinae
– Pneumovirus
• RSV
• Metapneumovirus
• metapneumovirus
 Pneumovirinae
1. Genus pneumovirus which include
respiratory syncytial virus RSV

2. Genus metapneumovirus which

include: human metapneumovirus
Respiratory syncytial virus
Respiratory syncytial virus
• RSV is a paramyxovirus that lacks:
– haemagglutinin
&
– neuraminidase activity.

• The F peplomer as well lacks

– haemolysin activity.
 Respiratory syncytial virus

• RSV is transmitted via droplet

infection.

• Viral replication occurs in the

epithelial cells of the nasopharynx.

• Viraemia has not been detected.

 Alarming!!!!!!
• RSV is the most important cause of LRT illness
in infants and young children.

• It is the main cause of:

– Bronhiolitis (about 50%)
– Pneumonia (25%)
under one year of age.
Pathogenesis of Respiratory
syncytial virus

Involvement of the:
immune response
in
the pathogenesis of some RSV
respiratory symptoms
especially bronchiolitis has been the
subject for much speculation.
 Laboratory diagnosis of
parainfluenza & RSV s
1.Detection of viral antigen & \ or viral nucleic
acid:
Antigen detection:
- Clinical specimens (exfoliated
nasopharyngeal cells, nasopharyngeal
secretions, aspirates or washes) by:
- IF or ELISA techniques

- N.A detection from the same specimens

could be done using PCR
 Laboratory diagnosis of
respiratory tract infections
(parainfluenza & RSV )
2. Isolation & identification of the virus :
The virus grow readily on T.C.C. identification is by:
- the C.P.E;
- I.F ( to detected V.AG.) &
- or PCR (to detect V.N.A.) .

In parainfluenza viruses:
haemadsorption
&
haemagglutination
may be used for specific identification.
 Laboratory diagnosis of respiratory
tract infections parainfluenza & RSV

3. Serology :
Virus specific IgA are protective but
disappear within few months.
Treatment of parainfluenza & RSV
infection
• Treatment is mainly symptomatic and include

neubulized cold or hot steam with careful

monitoring of the upper airway.

• Ribavirin delivered in the form of small particle

aerosal may be effective in life threatening

infections.
Immunity to Parainfluenza
& RSVs
• It is apparent that serum neutralizing

antibodies are only partially protective.

• Reinfections are common and can occur

in presence of viral antibodies but the

severity of the disease is lowered.