Lentivirus

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Lentivirus

Lentivirus (/lɛnˈtaɪvɪrəs/; from the Latin lenti-, "slow", and -virus, "poison") is a genus of retroviruses that cause chronic and often deadly diseases characterized by long incubation periods, in the human and other mammalian species.

Etymology

The name Lentivirus is derived from the Latin word lenti-, meaning "slow", and -virus, meaning "poison". This is in reference to the long incubation periods associated with infections caused by viruses in this genus.

Classification

Lentiviruses are members of the family Retroviridae, subfamily Orthoretrovirinae, and can be further classified into several subgroups including the primate (e.g., HIV and SIV), feline (e.g., FIV), bovine (e.g., BIV), and small ruminant (e.g., VMV) lentiviruses.

Characteristics

Lentiviruses are characterized by a long incubation period. They are typically transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Unlike other retroviruses, lentiviruses have the unique ability to infect non-dividing cells.

Diseases

Lentiviruses can result in a variety of diseases, including AIDS in humans, caused by HIV, and similar diseases in other mammals, such as FIV in cats. These diseases are often chronic and can be life-threatening.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for lentivirus infections primarily involves antiretroviral therapy, which can help to slow the progression of the disease. Prevention strategies include safe practices to prevent transmission, such as using condoms during sex and avoiding sharing needles.

See Also

External links

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