Porcine Circovirus: Difference between revisions

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=2. Description and significance=
=2. Description and significance=
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Circoviruses are small ssDNA viruses which can inhabit and infect several hosts. Porcine circoviruses commonly infect swine (2). There are two main serotypes: Porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1) and Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2). There is current research into another emerging serotype, Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), which is very similar to PCV2, but is not yet an epidemic in swine (13). PCV1 is not known to demonstrate any sign of disease, whereas PCV2 can cause an illness called Porcine circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD), which causes Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) (3, 4). Porcine circovirus has one of the highest evolution rates of DNA viruses and also has the capability to co-infecting hosts along with other pathogens. This can lead to more severe outbreaks and complex syndromes involving reproductive failure, enteritis and pneumonia (5).  
*Include as many headings as are relevant to your microbe. Consider using the headings below, as they will allow readers to quickly locate specific information of major interest*
 
The Porcine circovirus has the smallest genome of any autonomously replicating virus (5). The small size of the genome presents many challenges when attempting to study the pathology of the virus in livestock. The circovirus can affect a variety of hosts (mostly livestock); moreover,  Porcine circovirus infection can have detrimental effects on agricultural business as it can kill off an entire swine herd, and hence cut into profits (6). Infection results in a high fatality rate in swine populations, even though a vaccine has been created to protect against PMWS. The circovirus’ small genome allows for fast evolutionary adaption, permitting the virus to quickly gain resistance to these vaccines (5, 7). This is due to the fact that one or two mutations could have a huge effect on the virus, such as making a benign circovirus pathogenic (3).
 
=3. Genome structure=
=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?
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Revision as of 22:25, 8 December 2017

This student page has not been curated.

1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

Viruses do not have a domain, phylum or class. Thus, the taxa begins at order. Porcine circovirus is classified as follows:

Viruses; ssDNA viruses; Circoviridae; Circovirus; unclassified Circovirus

2. Description and significance

Circoviruses are small ssDNA viruses which can inhabit and infect several hosts. Porcine circoviruses commonly infect swine (2). There are two main serotypes: Porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1) and Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2). There is current research into another emerging serotype, Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), which is very similar to PCV2, but is not yet an epidemic in swine (13). PCV1 is not known to demonstrate any sign of disease, whereas PCV2 can cause an illness called Porcine circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD), which causes Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) (3, 4). Porcine circovirus has one of the highest evolution rates of DNA viruses and also has the capability to co-infecting hosts along with other pathogens. This can lead to more severe outbreaks and complex syndromes involving reproductive failure, enteritis and pneumonia (5).

The Porcine circovirus has the smallest genome of any autonomously replicating virus (5). The small size of the genome presents many challenges when attempting to study the pathology of the virus in livestock. The circovirus can affect a variety of hosts (mostly livestock); moreover, Porcine circovirus infection can have detrimental effects on agricultural business as it can kill off an entire swine herd, and hence cut into profits (6). Infection results in a high fatality rate in swine populations, even though a vaccine has been created to protect against PMWS. The circovirus’ small genome allows for fast evolutionary adaption, permitting the virus to quickly gain resistance to these vaccines (5, 7). This is due to the fact that one or two mutations could have a huge effect on the virus, such as making a benign circovirus pathogenic (3).

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.

7. Key microorganisms

Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a microbial process, rather than a specific taxon/group of organisms

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.