[Mechanisms of viral diseases and means of natural defense].
This article concentrates on the mechanisms by which viruses cause disease. Although the emphasis is on mechanisms rather than on a description of individual viral infections, selected viruses that best exemplify important or novel virus-host interactions are singled out. Twenty years ago, some viruses have helped understanding cell differentiation, and at present molecular and cellular biology are necessary to explain in depth the mechanisms of viral illnesses. Understanding and control of viral diseases are not mutually exclusive but rather simultaneous processes with multidisciplinary approaches. Like some bacterial toxins, virus may be deleterious without infecting cells. To use the cell machinery efficiently, viruses must be able to escape the immune system.
Morinet
F
F
Service de microbiologie, Unité de virologie et CNRS UPR 9051, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris.
D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology