Sindbis Virus
1. Classification
Sindbis virus is a species that occupies human, invertebrate and vertebrate hosts (1).
Domain: Viruses; Realm: Riboviria; Kingdom: Orthornavirae; Phylum: Kitrinoviricota; Class: Alsuviricetes; Order: Martellivirales; Family: Togaviridae; Genus: Alphavirus
2. Introduction
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a disease-causing RNA virus transferred from animals to humans that is most often observed in Northern Europe and South Africa (2). The clinical infection of SINV is known as Pogosta disease in Finland, Ockelbo disease in Sweden, and Karelian fever in Russia. Symptoms of infection include joint pain, rash, fever, and myalgia; in many patients, these symptoms can continue for months or years and become debilitating (2). After diagnosis, there is no specific treatment available but pain management is typically used to alleviate symptoms through anti-inflammatory drugs (2). Potential cancer therapies have been developed using a viral vector of SINV to introduce specific genomic information into a host cell (3). However, it is unknown whether SINV vectors are effective in a clinical setting outside of a lab (2). It is also not yet well understood how host cells signal and respond to infection of SINV (2). Current research is focused on understanding the pathophysiology of SINV so that effective prevention and treatment methods for the virus can be developed (3), as well as expanding the phylogenetic tree of different SINV strains (4).
3. Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
4. Cell structure
Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”
5. Metabolic processes
Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).
6. Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
7. Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
8. Current Research
Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose
9. References
It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.
