Ch. 24 - Pathogenic DNA Viruses

Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition

Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook

Bauman 6th Edition

Ch. 24 - Pathogenic DNA Viruses

Problem 3

Chapter 24, Problem 3

What was the difference in the effects of variola major and variola minor?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the context of the problem by recognizing that variola major and variola minor are two forms of the virus that causes smallpox, a serious infectious disease.

Step 2: Identify the key differences in severity and mortality rates between variola major and variola minor. Variola major is known to cause a more severe form of smallpox with higher mortality, while variola minor causes a milder form with lower mortality.

Step 3: Explore the clinical manifestations of each form. Variola major typically results in more extensive rash, higher fever, and more complications, whereas variola minor presents with fewer lesions and milder symptoms.

Step 4: Consider the epidemiological impact, noting that variola major was historically responsible for most smallpox deaths, while variola minor caused less severe outbreaks.

Step 5: Summarize the difference by focusing on the severity, mortality rate, and clinical presentation, which are the main distinguishing effects between variola major and variola minor.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Variola Major

Variola major is the more severe form of the smallpox virus, causing higher fever, extensive rash, and a higher mortality rate of about 30%. It led to widespread outbreaks with significant health impacts before eradication.

Variola Minor

Variola minor is a milder form of smallpox, characterized by less severe symptoms, lower fever, and a much lower mortality rate of less than 1%. It caused less severe disease and fewer fatalities compared to variola major.

Differences in Clinical Effects and Mortality

The primary difference between variola major and minor lies in the severity of symptoms and death rates. Variola major caused more intense illness and higher death rates, while variola minor resulted in milder disease and was less deadly, influencing public health responses.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following statements is true concerning variola major?

a. It carries a mortality rate of less than 1%.

b. It affects internal organs before appearing on the skin.

c. The causative virus has been totally eradicated from Earth.

d. The skin lesions it causes are smooth, waxy, tumorlike nodules on the face.

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Textbook Question

What observation led scientists to understand the relationship between shingles and chickenpox?

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Textbook Question

You have been given a large grant to do postgraduate research on live smallpox viruses. Where in the world would you find samples?

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Textbook Question

For which of the following reasons are most animal poxviruses unable to infect humans?

a. Affected animals are not in frequent contact with humans.

b. The human immune system makes it impossible for the foreign viral particles to

reproduce effectively.

c. Attachment to human cells is unlikely.

d. Human cells lack the necessary enzymes for infection.

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Textbook Question

The initial flat, red skin lesions of poxviruses are called____.

a. macules

b. papules

c. pustules

d. pocks

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Textbook Question

Most of the world’s population in less developed and developing countries have been infected with EBV human herpesvirus 4 by age one and show no ill effects, even where medical care is poor. In contrast, individuals in industrialized countries are ordinarily infected after puberty, and these older patients tend to have more severe reactions to infection despite better overall health and access to medical care. Explain this apparent paradox.

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