What are the characteristics of parvovirus?
Parvoviruses are non-enveloped, isometric viruses with a diameter of 18–26 nm. The particles consist of 60 copies of the capsid protein and contain single-stranded DNA of positive or negative polarity. The B19V genome has a length of 5,596 nucleotides.
Is parvovirus double stranded?
Parvovirus replication and assembly occurs in the nucleus and is dependent upon host cellular functions. The mechanism of replication of the genome is unique to the virus family. The hairpin structure at the 3′ end is used as a self-primer to start synthesis of a plus-sense DNA, resulting in double stranded-DNA.
What is the structure of parvovirus?
Structure. Parvoviruses are non-enveloped, icosahedral particles 18 to 26 nm in diameter. Plus and minus DNA strands are packaged into separate virions in approximately equal proportion. There are two capsid proteins.
Is parvovirus encapsulated?
Parvovirus virions are small compared to most viruses, at 23–28 nanometers in diameter, and contain the genome enclosed in an icosahedral capsid that has a rugged surface.
What disease does parvovirus cause?
Parvovirus B19 most commonly causes fifth disease, a mild rash illness that usually affects children. Adults can get infected with parvovirus B19 resulting in fifth disease too.
What cell does parvovirus infect?
The human parvovirus B19 virus replicates only in human erythroid progenitor cells, and cell binding and infection require the erythrocyte P antigen (globoside) (10).
How do humans catch parvovirus?
Transmission. Parvovirus B19 spreads through respiratory secretions, such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Parvovirus B19 can also spread through blood or blood products. A pregnant woman who is infected with parvovirus B19 can pass the virus to her baby.
Can a human get parvo from a puppy?
Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat. Also, dogs and cats cannot get parvovirus B19 from an infected person.
What does a parvo dog smell like?
When the virus infects the villi and the crypt epithelia they become blunted and cannot absorb nutrients as the microvilli are destroyed. The sloughing of the intestinal cells into the diarrhea causes a distinct sickly-sweet smell that is indicative of parvo.
What are the characteristics of the family Parvoviridae?
Characteristics of members of the family Parvoviridae. human parvovirus B19-J35 (AY386330), species Primate erythroparvovirus 1, genus Erythroparvovirus, subfamily Parvovirinae Rolling hairpin replication, a linear adaptation of rolling circle replication.
Are there any Parvoviruses that are linked to disease?
Although they have been described in a number of mammalian species including man, they are yet to be linked to any disease. The third genus consist of autonomously replicating parvoviruses which are frequently associated with diseases. Parvovirus B19 is the only parvovirus that has been linked directly to disease in humans.
Where are hairpin structures found in a parvovirus?
These “hairpin” structures are critical for genome replication. Parvovirus replication and assembly occurs in the nucleus and is dependent upon host cellular functions. The mechanism of replication of the genome is unique to the virus family.
Can a fetus be infected with Parvovirus B19?
Studies have indicated that relapse of the virus may be prevented by regular IgG infusions. Infection with parvovirus B19 is generally asymptomatic in pregnant women and most will deliver a normal child at term, but there is still substantial risk of transplacental virus tranmission and subsequent fetal infection.
