Alphavirus

Alphavirus (formerly Arbovirus A) is a viral genus of the Togaviridae.

Properties

In this class, and approximately 20 enveloped positive single-stranded RNA viruses are classified with a diameter of about 60 to 70 nanometers. The viral envelope has characteristic spikes from glycoproteins. They multiply in the cytoplasm and the nucleic acid alone is infectious.

Alpha viruses occur worldwide. The pathogens are transmitted primarily by mosquitoes (eg Anopheles ) (hence the old name arbovirus ). Can alphaviruses in human endemic, epidemic and cause sporadic disease., With mostly benign febrile infections, some with rash and joint inflammation ( arthritis ) go hand in hand. In animals, but also occur lethal infections involving the central nervous system, such as encephalomyelitis of horses whose clinical pictures notifiable animal diseases belong.

System

Human pathogenic viruses:

• Chikungunya virus
• Ross River Virus
• O'nyong - nyong virus
• Mayaro fever virus
• Sindbis virus
• Semliki Forest Virus
• Mucambo virus
• Everglades virus

Animal pathogens viruses:

• In horses Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus ( EEE virus ), agent of the Eastern equine encephalomyelitis
• Western Equine encephalomyelitis virus ( WEE virus), agent of Western equine encephalomyelitis
• Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus ( VEE virus ), agent of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

• Highlands J virus

Swell

• David M. Knipe, Peter M. Howley et al. (eds. ): Fields' Virology 4th edition, Philadelphia 2001
• C. M. Fauquet, M. A. Mayo et al.: Eighth Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, London San Diego 2005

• Togaviruses