Human respiratory syncytial virus
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Human respiratory syncytial virus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Viruses; ssRNA viruses; ssRNA negative-strand viruses; Mononegavirales; Paramyxoviridae; Pneumovirinae; Pneumovirus
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Genus species
Description and significance
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus was first isolated in 1956 from a laboratory chimpanzee with a respiratory illness and was later discovered to be of human origin. RSV consists of two antigenic subtypes, A and B. Subtype B is characterized as the asymptomatic strains that of which the majority of individuals experiences. The more severeillnesses and which usually predominate during outbreaks are associated with subtype A strains. RSV was determined to be the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections particularly in young infants. The severity of the disease is very diverse ranging from mild cold symptoms to severe and life-threatening. It's the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants. It may cause mortality or morbidity in the elderly as well as immunodeficient individuals. It is the most common pathogen leading to hospitalization in young children up to the age of 5. Approximately two thirds of infants are infected with RSV within their first year and 90% have been infected by the age of 2.
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?
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.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
Enter summarries of the most rescent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by student of Emily Lilly at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
