Persistent infection

Definition

A persistent infection is a type of viral infection where the virus remains in the host body for an extended period, often for the lifetime of the host. This can occur with or without symptoms and can involve continuous or intermittent viral shedding.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Persistent infections can be categorized into chronic, latent, and slow infections.
2. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV are classic examples of viruses that cause persistent infections.
3. In latent infections, the virus remains dormant in host cells and can reactivate under certain conditions.
4. Chronic persistent infections involve continuous production of virus particles, often leading to ongoing disease symptoms.
5. Immune evasion mechanisms like antigenic variation help viruses maintain persistent infections within hosts.

Review Questions

• What are the main types of persistent infections?
• How do latent and chronic persistent infections differ?
• What immune evasion strategies do viruses use to sustain persistent infections?

Related terms

Latent Infection: A type of persistent infection where the virus remains dormant within host cells and can reactivate later.

Chronic Infection: A type of persistent infection characterized by continuous production of viral particles and ongoing disease symptoms.

Viral Shedding: The release of viral particles from an infected individual into the environment, which can occur intermittently or continuously in persistent infections.