Zaire ebolavirus
Template:Zaire ebolavirus Template:NEUF2011
Classification
Higher order taxa
Group: Group V ((-)ssRNA) Order; Mononegavirales Family; Filoviridae Genus; ebolavirus Species; Zaire
Species
NCBI Taxonomy: [1] |
Zaire ebolavirus
Description and significance
The appearance of this negative sense single stranded RNA (nonsegmented) virus is filamentous in structure. This virus was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a species of the Genus ebolavirus. The Genus ebolavirus contains five different species. The five species are: Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Reston ebolavirs (REBOV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV), Ivory Coast ebolavirus (CIEBOV), and Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV). They were all discovered around 1976 with only one strain that is not pathegenic in humans which is the Reston ebolavirus. The filoviruses can cause up to a 90% mortality rate in humans as well. The virus is not considered to be living due to the fact that without a host the virus will die, although this topic is highly controversial.
Genome structure
The complete genome is 18,959 base pairs which makes up a linear strand of RNA. This is a single stranded, nonfragmented, negative sense RNA, which resides in Group V of the Baltimore classifcation system. This class of viruses needs a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe the negative sense strand in to a positive sense strand. This can only be conducted by a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
Cell structure and metabolism
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Zaire Ebolavirus RNA has been discovered throughout Africa. It has been found within the cells of rodents and shrews that occupy niches in forest areas. This proposes that a reservoirs run through Central African Republic where the water is consumed and then absorbed by the rodent's organ tissues. It has started a recent epidemic in the Republic of Congo which has lead to a sudden death in mammals and humans. This zoonotic pathogen can be transmitted from animals and invade humans.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
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Cool Factor
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References
NCBI Taxonomy Zaire ebolavirus
Edited by student of Iris Keren