Paramyxoviridae
Morphology
- Single-stranded negative-sense unsegmented RNA virus
- Reassortment and antigenic shift cannot occur
- Spike proteins include
- HN (Haemagglutinin and Neuraminidase)
- F (Fusion glycoprotein), which allows the virus to fuse directly to the plasma membrane and release its RNA
- F also causes syncitium to form, which aids diagnosis
- Host antibody response to the F protein is the basis for vaccination
Virulence
- Paramyxoviruses replicate in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract as well as occasionally in the gut
- Sites of spike protein cleavage
- Virulence varies by virus, see below
Types and Subtypes
Paramoyxoviridae was reclassified in 2000 to include 2 subfamilies and 5 genera, of interest including:
- Subfamily: Paramyxovirinae:
- Subfamily: Pneumovirinae
Antigenic Variation
- Antigenic conservation allows some cross protection by vaccination:
- Conservation of major virus-specific F/HN antigens means vaccines protect against all isolates of the same virus
- Minor morbillivirus-specific epitopes on F allows some cross protection between canine distemper, measles, and rinderpest
- Antigenic "fingerprinting" is possible for some viruses based on minor variable epitopes of HN, F and NP on specific isolates as detected by monoclonal antibodies
- These are detected by immunostaining infected cells
Other resources
Subcategories
This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.
P
Pages in category "Paramyxoviridae"
The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total.