Achievable logoAchievable logo
USMLE/1
Sign in
Sign up
Purchase
Textbook
Support
How it works
Resources
Exam catalog
Mountain with a flag at the peak
Textbook
Introduction
1. Anatomy
2. Microbiology
2.1 General bacteriology
2.2 Introduction to systemic bacteriology
2.3 Gram positive cocci
2.4 Gram negative cocci
2.5 Gram positive bacilli
2.6 Gram negative bacilli
2.7 Other important bacteria
2.8 Virology
2.8.1 Overview
2.8.2 Herpesviruses
2.8.3 Poxviruses
2.8.4 Adenovirus
2.8.5 Papilloma and Polyoma viruses
2.8.6 Parvovirus
2.8.7 Orthomyxoviruses and Paramyxoviruses
2.8.8 Viruses causing diarrhea
2.8.9 Picornavirus
2.8.10 Hepatitis Viruses
2.8.11 Arboviruses
2.8.12 Retroviruses
2.8.13 Other important viruses
2.8.14 Additional information
2.9 Parasitology
2.10 Mycology
3. Physiology
4. Pathology
5. Pharmacology
6. Immunology
7. Biochemistry
8. Cell and molecular biology
9. Biostatistics and epidemiology
10. Genetics
11. Behavioral science
Wrapping up
Achievable logoAchievable logo
2.8.14 Additional information
Achievable USMLE/1
2. Microbiology
2.8. Virology

Additional information

2 min read
Font
Discuss
Share
Feedback
  1. Box for bitemporal lobe disease seen in HSV 1 encephalitis, HHV 6 encephalopathy (shows hemorrhages), mucormycosis, flaviviruses, syphilis, paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in small cell Ca and testicular germ cell cancer, Alzheimer’s, some cases of frontotemporal dementia, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, gliomas/astrocytomas, CADASIL (type of cerebral vasculitis), and radiation necrosis secondary to head and neck radiation.

  2. Box for swine flu: Swine flu is a highly contagious strain of the H1N1 influenza virus. It formed through genetic reassortment of genomic RNA segments from humans, birds, and pigs. It caused the 2009 influenza pandemic, affecting more than 100,000 people worldwide; most cases occurred in young people.

  3. Avian influenza: Avian influenza refers to disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but sporadic human infections have occurred. The subtype H5N1 is highly pathogenic and carries the greatest risk of pandemics. It has a mortality rate above 60% in humans.

  4. HIV replication cycle: The infographic shows the HIV replication cycle.

    • HIV fuses with the surface of the host cell.
    • A capsid containing the viral genome and proteins enters the cell.
    • The capsid disassembles.
    • Reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA.
    • Viral DNA is transported into the nucleus.
    • Integrase inserts (integrates) HIV DNA into the host cell’s DNA.
    • The host cell’s transcription machinery produces multiple copies of HIV RNA.
    • Some HIV RNA becomes the genome for new virions; other RNA is used to make HIV proteins.
    • Viral RNA and HIV proteins move to the cell surface, where an immature HIV particle assembles.
    • The virus buds off (is released) from the cell.
    • Protease cleaves newly synthesized polyproteins, producing a mature, infectious virus.

Bitemporal lobe disease (causes and associations)

  • Seen in: HSV 1 encephalitis, HHV 6 encephalopathy (hemorrhages), mucormycosis, flaviviruses, syphilis
  • Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (small cell carcinoma, testicular germ cell cancer)
  • Also associated: Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia (some cases), ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, gliomas/astrocytomas, CADASIL, radiation necrosis

Swine flu (H1N1 influenza)

  • Highly contagious H1N1 strain
  • Origin: genetic reassortment (human, bird, pig RNA)
  • 2009 pandemic, >100,000 cases, mostly young people

Avian influenza

  • Caused by avian influenza type A viruses
  • Natural hosts: wild aquatic birds; can infect domestic poultry, other species
  • Human infection rare; H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic, >60% mortality in humans

HIV replication cycle

  • Fusion with host cell membrane
  • Capsid entry and disassembly
  • Reverse transcriptase: RNA → DNA
  • Integration of viral DNA (integrase) into host genome
  • Host transcription: HIV RNA and proteins produced
  • Assembly at cell surface, budding, protease-mediated maturation
All rights reserved ©2016 - 2026 Achievable, Inc.

Additional information

  1. Box for bitemporal lobe disease seen in HSV 1 encephalitis, HHV 6 encephalopathy (shows hemorrhages), mucormycosis, flaviviruses, syphilis, paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in small cell Ca and testicular germ cell cancer, Alzheimer’s, some cases of frontotemporal dementia, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, gliomas/astrocytomas, CADASIL (type of cerebral vasculitis), and radiation necrosis secondary to head and neck radiation.

  2. Box for swine flu: Swine flu is a highly contagious strain of the H1N1 influenza virus. It formed through genetic reassortment of genomic RNA segments from humans, birds, and pigs. It caused the 2009 influenza pandemic, affecting more than 100,000 people worldwide; most cases occurred in young people.

  3. Avian influenza: Avian influenza refers to disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but sporadic human infections have occurred. The subtype H5N1 is highly pathogenic and carries the greatest risk of pandemics. It has a mortality rate above 60% in humans.

  4. HIV replication cycle: The infographic shows the HIV replication cycle.

    • HIV fuses with the surface of the host cell.
    • A capsid containing the viral genome and proteins enters the cell.
    • The capsid disassembles.
    • Reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA.
    • Viral DNA is transported into the nucleus.
    • Integrase inserts (integrates) HIV DNA into the host cell’s DNA.
    • The host cell’s transcription machinery produces multiple copies of HIV RNA.
    • Some HIV RNA becomes the genome for new virions; other RNA is used to make HIV proteins.
    • Viral RNA and HIV proteins move to the cell surface, where an immature HIV particle assembles.
    • The virus buds off (is released) from the cell.
    • Protease cleaves newly synthesized polyproteins, producing a mature, infectious virus.
Key points

Bitemporal lobe disease (causes and associations)

  • Seen in: HSV 1 encephalitis, HHV 6 encephalopathy (hemorrhages), mucormycosis, flaviviruses, syphilis
  • Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (small cell carcinoma, testicular germ cell cancer)
  • Also associated: Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia (some cases), ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, gliomas/astrocytomas, CADASIL, radiation necrosis

Swine flu (H1N1 influenza)

  • Highly contagious H1N1 strain
  • Origin: genetic reassortment (human, bird, pig RNA)
  • 2009 pandemic, >100,000 cases, mostly young people

Avian influenza

  • Caused by avian influenza type A viruses
  • Natural hosts: wild aquatic birds; can infect domestic poultry, other species
  • Human infection rare; H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic, >60% mortality in humans

HIV replication cycle

  • Fusion with host cell membrane
  • Capsid entry and disassembly
  • Reverse transcriptase: RNA → DNA
  • Integration of viral DNA (integrase) into host genome
  • Host transcription: HIV RNA and proteins produced
  • Assembly at cell surface, budding, protease-mediated maturation