''Alphaherpesvirinae'' is a subfamily of viruses in the family ''
Herpesviridae
''Herpesviridae'' is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ''ἕρπει ...
'', primarily distinguished by reproducing more quickly than other subfamilies in the ''Herpesviridae''. In
animal virology the most important herpesviruses belong to the Alphaherpesvirinae.
Pseudorabies virus is the causative agent of
Aujeszky's disease in pigs and ''
Bovine herpesvirus 1
''Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1'' (BoHV-1) is a virus of the family ''Herpesviridae'' and the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae'', known to cause several diseases worldwide in cattle, including rhinotracheitis, vaginitis, balanoposthitis, abortion, co ...
'' is the causative agent of bovine infectious rhinotracheitis and pustular vulvovaginitis.
Mammals serve as natural hosts. There are currently 45 species in this subfamily, divided among 5 genera with one species unassigned to a genus. Diseases associated with this subfamily include:
HHV-1 and
HHV-2: skin vesicles or mucosal ulcers, rarely encephalitis and meningitis,
HHV-3
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3, HHV3) or ''Human alphaherpesvirus 3'' (taxonomically), is one of nine known herpes viruses that can infect humans. It causes chickenpox (varicella) commonly affecting chil ...
:
chickenpox
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). The disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab ...
(varicella) and
shingles
Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. Typically the rash occurs in a single, wide mark either on the left or right side of the body or fac ...
,
GaHV-2
Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian who described it in 1907. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as "Marek's disease virus" ...
:
Marek's disease
Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian who described it in 1907. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as "Marek's disease virus" ...
.
Genera
''Alphaherpesvirinae'' consists of the following five genera:
* ''
Iltovirus''
* ''
Mardivirus''
* ''
Scutavirus
''Scutavirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order '' Herpesvirales'', in the family '' Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae''. Turtles and tortoises serve as natural hosts. Diseases associated with this genus include fibropapi ...
''
* ''
Simplexvirus''
* ''
Varicellovirus
''Varicellovirus'' (var′i-sel′ō-vi′rŭs) is a genus of viruses belonging to subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae'', a member of family ''Herpesviridae''. Humans and other mammals serve as natural hosts. There are 19 species in this genus. Disea ...
''
The species ''
Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 6
''Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 6'' (ChHV-6) is a species of virus of uncertain generic placement in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae
''Alphaherpesvirinae'' is a subfamily of viruses in the family ''Herpesviridae'', primarily distinguished by ...
'' is currently unassigned to a genus.
Structure
Viruses in ''Alphaherpesvirinae'' are enveloped, with icosahedral, spherical to pleomorphic, and round geometries, and T=16 symmetry. The diameter is around 150-200 nm. Genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 120 to 180 kb in length.
Life cycle
Viral replication is nuclear, and is lysogenic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral gB, gC, gD and gH proteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the dsDNA bidirectional replication model. DNA-templated transcription, with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by leaky scanning. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear egress, budding, and
microtubular
Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and provide structure and shape to eukaryotic cells. Microtubules can be as long as 50 micrometres, as wide as 23 to 27 nm and have an inner diameter between 1 ...
outwards viral transport.
Mammals serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are sexual, contact, body fluids, lesions, and respiratory.
References
External links
*
Viralzone: ''Alphaherpesvirinae''ICTV
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1856108
Herpesviridae
Animal virology
Herpesvirales
Virus subfamilies