Gammaherpesvirinae

Gammaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of the Herpesviridae family of viruses. This subfamily is known to infect a variety of mammalian hosts, including humans. The viruses in this subfamily are characterized by their ability to establish lifelong latent infections in their hosts.

Characteristics

The viruses in the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily are enveloped, with icosahedral capsids. The genome of these viruses is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule. The viruses are known to infect lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. This is a characteristic feature of the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily.

Genera

The Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily is divided into two genera: Lymphocryptovirus and Rhadinovirus. The Lymphocryptovirus genus includes the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause infectious mononucleosis in humans. The Rhadinovirus genus includes the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, which is associated with the development of Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer.

Pathogenesis

The viruses in the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily are known to cause a variety of diseases in their hosts. These include lymphoma, mononucleosis, and Kaposi's sarcoma. The viruses are also associated with a number of other diseases, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma.

Treatment and Prevention

There is currently no cure for infections caused by Gammaherpesvirinae viruses. Treatment typically involves managing the symptoms of the disease. Prevention strategies include avoiding contact with infected individuals and practicing good hygiene.

See Also

• Herpesviridae
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

References

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