Reoviridae

Reoviridae is a family of viruses that includes several important pathogens of plants, animals, and humans. The name "Reoviridae" is derived from respiratory enteric orphan viruses. The term "orphan virus" means that a virus that is not associated with any known disease. However, it is now known that viruses in the family Reoviridae are associated with various diseases.

Structure

Viruses in Reoviridae are non-enveloped, with icosahedral and spherical geometries, and T=13, T=2 symmetry. The diameter is around 60-80 nm. Genomes are linear and segmented, around 18-32kb in length.

Life Cycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral proteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the double-stranded RNA virus replication model. Double-stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by monopartite non-tubule guided viral movement. Humans, plants, fungi, bacteria, and insects serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are fecal-oral, contact, aerosol, and vector.

Pathogenesis

Reoviridae includes several pathogenic viruses, such as Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrheal illness in children, and Orthoreovirus, which infects the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract but usually causes only mild symptoms. Other viruses in the family, such as Coltivirus, cause disease in animals and can also infect humans.

See Also

• Rotavirus
• Orthoreovirus
• Coltivirus

References

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