Which virus is a negative-sense, segmented RNA virus associated with seasonal influenza and can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia?

Which virus is a negative-sense, segmented RNA virus associated with seasonal influenza and can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia?

• A. Adenovirus
• B. Rhinovirus
• C. Respiratory syncytial virus
• D. Influenza virus

Answer: (D)

Influenza virus is a negative-sense, segmented RNA virus. Its genome has eight segments of negative-sense RNA, so the virus must bring its own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe mRNA in the host cell. This virus is responsible for seasonal influenza and, due to damage to the respiratory epithelium and impaired mucociliary clearance it causes, can set the stage for secondary bacterial pneumonia by organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae. The segmented genome also explains how the virus can undergo reassortment and contribute to seasonal epidemics.

Influenza virus is a negative-sense, segmented RNA virus. Its genome has eight segments of negative-sense RNA, so the virus must bring its own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe mRNA in the host cell. This virus is responsible for seasonal influenza and, due to damage to the respiratory epithelium and impaired mucociliary clearance it causes, can set the stage for secondary bacterial pneumonia by organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae. The segmented genome also explains how the virus can undergo reassortment and contribute to seasonal epidemics.