Pestivirus: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:54, 13 February 2025

A genus of viruses in the family Flaviviridae

Pestivirus is a genus of viruses in the family Flaviviridae. These viruses are known to infect a variety of mammals, primarily livestock, and are responsible for significant economic losses in the agricultural industry due to their impact on animal health.

Virology[edit]

Pestiviruses are small, enveloped viruses with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. The genome is approximately 12.3 kilobases in length and encodes a single polyprotein that is processed into structural and non-structural proteins. The structural proteins include the capsid protein C and the envelope glycoproteins Erns, E1, and E2.

Genome Organization[edit]

The genome of pestiviruses is organized into a single open reading frame (ORF) flanked by untranslated regions (UTRs) at both the 5' and 3' ends. The 5' UTR contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that facilitates translation of the viral polyprotein.

Replication Cycle[edit]

Pestiviruses enter host cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. After entry, the viral RNA is released into the cytoplasm, where it is translated into a polyprotein. This polyprotein is cleaved by viral and host proteases to produce mature viral proteins. Replication of the viral RNA occurs in the cytoplasm, and new virions are assembled and released from the host cell.

Pathogenesis[edit]

Pestiviruses are known to cause a range of diseases in livestock, including Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) in cattle, Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in pigs, and Border Disease in sheep. These diseases can lead to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and reproductive failure.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea[edit]

BVD is characterized by diarrhea, mucosal lesions, and immunosuppression in cattle. It can also cause reproductive issues such as abortion and congenital defects.

Classical Swine Fever[edit]

CSF, also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious disease in pigs that can lead to high mortality rates. Symptoms include fever, skin lesions, and neurological signs.

Border Disease[edit]

Border Disease affects sheep and is characterized by "hairy shaker" lambs, which exhibit tremors and abnormal wool growth.

Epidemiology[edit]

Pestiviruses are distributed worldwide and have a significant impact on livestock health and productivity. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, and fomites. Vertical transmission from mother to offspring is also common.

Prevention and Control[edit]

Control of pestivirus infections involves a combination of vaccination, biosecurity measures, and management practices. Vaccines are available for BVD and CSF, and efforts to control these diseases focus on preventing the introduction and spread of the virus within herds.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Pestivirus''' is a genus of viruses belonging to the family [[Flaviviridae]], which includes several significant pathogens that affect animals, including livestock and wildlife. The genus encompasses several species, such as [[Bovine viral diarrhea virus]] (BVDV), [[Classical swine fever virus]] (CSFV), and [[Border disease virus]] (BDV), among others. These viruses are known for causing a range of diseases in their host species, leading to significant economic losses in the agricultural sector.
+{{Short description|A genus of viruses in the family Flaviviridae}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Pestivirus
+| image = Pestivirus ___________.png
+| image_caption = Electron micrograph of a Pestivirus
+| image_align = right
+}}
-==Characteristics==
+'''Pestivirus''' is a genus of viruses in the family [[Flaviviridae]]. These viruses are known to infect a variety of [[mammals]], primarily [[livestock]], and are responsible for significant economic losses in the agricultural industry due to their impact on animal health.
-Pestiviruses are small, enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses. Their genome is approximately 12.3 kb in length and encodes for a single polyprotein that is subsequently cleaved into individual structural and non-structural proteins. The virus particles are spherical with a diameter of about 40-60 nm. Pestiviruses are unique among the [[Flaviviridae]] in that they possess a glycoprotein, Erns, which has RNase activity, contributing to their pathogenicity.
-==Transmission==
+==Virology==
-Transmission of pestiviruses can occur via direct contact between infected and susceptible animals or through indirect routes such as contaminated feed, equipment, and clothing. Some pestiviruses can also be transmitted vertically from pregnant females to their offspring, either in utero or through the ingestion of colostrum and milk.
+Pestiviruses are small, enveloped viruses with a single-stranded, positive-sense [[RNA]] genome. The genome is approximately 12.3 kilobases in length and encodes a single polyprotein that is processed into structural and non-structural proteins. The structural proteins include the capsid protein C and the envelope glycoproteins Erns, E1, and E2.
-==Diseases==
+===Genome Organization===
-Pestivirus infections can lead to a wide range of clinical manifestations, from subclinical infections to severe, acute disease. Common symptoms include fever, leukopenia, gastrointestinal disturbances, and respiratory distress. Reproductive issues such as abortion, stillbirths, and congenital malformations can also occur. Persistent infections may develop in animals infected in utero, leading to lifelong shedding of the virus and further propagation of the disease within populations.
+The genome of pestiviruses is organized into a single open reading frame (ORF) flanked by untranslated regions (UTRs) at both the 5' and 3' ends. The 5' UTR contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that facilitates translation of the viral polyprotein.
+===Replication Cycle===
+Pestiviruses enter host cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. After entry, the viral RNA is released into the cytoplasm, where it is translated into a polyprotein. This polyprotein is cleaved by viral and host proteases to produce mature viral proteins. Replication of the viral RNA occurs in the cytoplasm, and new virions are assembled and released from the host cell.
+==Pathogenesis==
+Pestiviruses are known to cause a range of diseases in livestock, including [[Bovine Viral Diarrhea]] (BVD) in cattle, [[Classical Swine Fever]] (CSF) in pigs, and [[Border Disease]] in sheep. These diseases can lead to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and reproductive failure.
 ===Bovine Viral Diarrhea===
-BVDV is one of the most economically significant pestiviruses, affecting cattle worldwide. It can cause a wide spectrum of disease, from mild, transient infections to severe, fatal disease. BVDV is also associated with immunosuppression, making affected animals more susceptible to other infections.
+BVD is characterized by diarrhea, mucosal lesions, and immunosuppression in cattle. It can also cause reproductive issues such as abortion and congenital defects.
 ===Classical Swine Fever===
-CSFV, also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious disease of pigs characterized by high fever, hemorrhaging, and high mortality rates. It is a notifiable disease due to its significant impact on international trade.
+CSF, also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious disease in pigs that can lead to high mortality rates. Symptoms include fever, skin lesions, and neurological signs.
 ===Border Disease===
-BDV primarily affects sheep, causing poor fleece condition, abortions, and birth of weak, hairy lambs known as "hairy shakers" due to their tremors. It can also affect cattle, though typically with less severe outcomes.
+Border Disease affects sheep and is characterized by "hairy shaker" lambs, which exhibit tremors and abnormal wool growth.
-==Diagnosis==
+==Epidemiology==
-Diagnosis of pestivirus infections can be achieved through various laboratory techniques, including virus isolation, antigen detection, and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serological tests can also be used to detect antibodies against pestiviruses, indicating exposure to the virus.
+Pestiviruses are distributed worldwide and have a significant impact on livestock health and productivity. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, and fomites. Vertical transmission from mother to offspring is also common.
 ==Prevention and Control==
-Control measures for pestivirus infections include good biosecurity practices, vaccination, and the culling of persistently infected animals. Vaccines are available for several pestiviruses and are an effective tool for reducing the incidence of disease. However, the presence of antigenic diversity within pestivirus species can complicate vaccine design and efficacy.
+Control of pestivirus infections involves a combination of [[vaccination]], biosecurity measures, and management practices. Vaccines are available for BVD and CSF, and efforts to control these diseases focus on preventing the introduction and spread of the virus within herds.
-==Research==
+==Related pages==
-Ongoing research into pestiviruses focuses on understanding their molecular biology, pathogenesis, and immune responses in hosts. This research aims to improve diagnostic methods, develop more effective vaccines, and devise strategies to control and eradicate these diseases.
+* [[Flaviviridae]]
+* [[Bovine Viral Diarrhea]]
+* [[Classical Swine Fever]]
+* [[Border Disease]]
-[[Category:Virology]]
+[[Category:Flaviviridae]]
 [[Category:Animal viral diseases]]
-[[Category:Flaviviruses]]
-{{Virus-stub}}