Picornaviridae
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[edit] Introduction
Picornaviruses are viruses that belong to the family Picornaviridae. The name is derived from pico meaning small, and RNA referring to the ribonucleic acid genome, so "picornavirus" literally means small RNA virus. Picornaviruses are non-enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses with an icosahedral capsid. The genome RNA is unusual because it has a protein on the 5' end that is used as a primer for transcription by RNA polymerase.
Picornaviruses are separated into nine distinct genera and include many important pathogens of humans and animals. The diseases they cause are varied, ranging from acute "common-cold"-like illnesses, to chronic infections in livestock. Two main categories are the enteroviruses and the rhinoviruses although these are soon to be classed together as one single genus-enterovirus. The most important enterovirus is poliovirus. Enteroviruses infect the enteric tract as it is visible from its name. On the other hand, Rhinoviruses infect primarily the nose and the throat. Enteroviruses replicate at 37°C, whereas Rhinoviruses grow better at 33°C, as this is the lower temperature of the nose. Enteroviruses are stable under acid conditions and thus they are able to survive exposure to gastric acid. In contrast, Rhinoviruses are acid-labile and that is the reason why Rhinoviruses are restricted to the nose and throat.
They include the following genera:
- Genus Enterovirus; type species: Poliovirus
- Genus Rhinovirus; type species: Human rhinovirus A (common cold)
- Genus Hepatovirus; type species: Hepatitis A virus
- Genus Cardiovirus; type species: Encephalomyocarditis virus
- Genus Aphthovirus; type species: Foot-and-mouth disease virus
- Genus Parechovirus; type species: Human parechovirus, Ljungan virus
- Genus Erbovirus; type species: Equine rhinitis B virus
- Genus Kobuvirus; type species: Aichi virus
- Genus Teschovirus; type species: Porcine teschovirus
[edit] Brain Effects
According to a study at the Mayo Clinic, picornaviruses can "cross over" into the brain, causing memory loss and other neurological symptoms.[1][2] For example, a type of picornavirus can cause poliomyelitis.
[edit] References
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