Arterivirus - Classification, Morphology, Epidemiology, Transmission, Replication, Introduction

Classification of Arterivirus

Realm: Riboviria

Kingdom: Orthornavirae

Phylum: Pisuviricota

Class: Pisoniviricetes

Order: Nidovirales

Suborder: Arnidovirineae

Family: Arteriviridae

Introduction of Arterivirus

Arteriviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses that infect mammals such as equids, pigs, Possums, nonhuman primates, and rodents.

Arterivirus can cause persistent or symptomatic infections, but also acute diseases associated with the respiratory syndrome, abortion, or lethal hemorrhagic fever.

During the past two decades, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and, to a lesser extent, equine arteritis virus (EAV) have attracted attention as veterinary pathogens with significant economic impact.

Morphology of Arterivirus

Morphologically, arteriviruses are small, spherical, enveloped, animal viruses with an icosahedral core containing a positive-sense RNA genome. Viral genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 12-16Kb in length.

The family includes equine arteritis virus(EAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), lactate dehydrogenase elevating virus (LDV) of mice, and simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV).

Epidemiology of Arterivirus

Epidemiologically, the natural host range of arteriviruses is restricted to equids (EAV), swine (PRRSV), mice (LDV), and several genera of African and Asian monkeys (SHFV). Three of these viruses were first discovered and characterized in the 1950/the 1960s, whereas PRRSV was first isolated in Europe and in North America in the early 1990s.

Transmission of Arterivirus

Transmission routes of Arterivirus are transplacental contact, urine, semen, air-borne particles, and saliva.

Replication of Arterivirus

The replication of the Arterivirus is cytoplasmic. Replication starts with entry into the host cell which is achieved by attachment to host receptors, which mediates clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The process follows the positive-stranded RNA virus, replication model.

As the infection continues, tissue tropism is observed in lung macrophages and lymph nodes. Vertebrates serve as the natural host.