[MICRO-02] Virology, Medical Mycology & Parasitology: Replication Cycles & Therapeutic Targets
MICRO-02 • 7. MicrobiologyLearning Objectives
Trace the replication cycles of HIV-1 (gp120/CD4/CCR5 entry → Reverse Transcriptase → Integrase → Protease), Herpesviruses (HSV/VZV), Influenza (Neuraminidase), and Hepatitis B/C.; Contrast fungal cell wall (β-1,3-D-glucan, chitin) and cell membrane (**Ergosterol** synthesized via CYP51 lanosterol 14α-demethylase) targets.; Map the life cycle of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum (sporozoite → hepatic schizont/hypnozoite → erythrocytic trophozoite/schizont → gametocyte) to stage-specific antimalarials.
Chapter Overview & Core Explanation
Viruses hijack human cellular machinery to copy their DNA or RNA, fungi build sterol membranes using ergosterol instead of human cholesterol, and malaria parasites cycle between mosquito salivary glands, human liver cells, and red blood cells.
Key Exam & Clinical Takeaways
- [8.60] Primaquine is the primary antimalarial that eradicates dormant hepatic hypnozoites (exo-erythrocytic phase) in Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale.
- [8.78] Dolutegravir chelates divalent cations at the integrase active site and must be separated from oral iron ([10.6]), calcium ([10.9]), and antacids ([5.9]).