Adenoviridae

Adenoviridae is a family of viruses that infect humans and a wide range of animals. They are known for causing a variety of illnesses, from mild respiratory infections to life-threatening diseases.

Structure

Adenoviruses are non-enveloped viruses with an icosahedral nucleocapsid containing a double stranded DNA genome. Their structure is unique due to the presence of a protein core that is not found in other DNA viruses. The virion also contains a number of proteins that are involved in the viral life cycle, including the DNA polymerase, preterminal protein, and terminal protein.

Classification

The Adenoviridae family is divided into five genera: Mastadenovirus, Aviadenovirus, Atadenovirus, Siadenovirus, and Ichtadenovirus. These genera are further divided into species based on their host range and genome structure.

Pathogenesis

Adenoviruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. In humans, they can cause respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and more serious conditions such as pneumonia and meningitis. In animals, adenoviruses can cause diseases such as infectious canine hepatitis and egg drop syndrome in chickens.

Treatment and Prevention

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for adenovirus infections. Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Vaccines are available for some types of adenoviruses, but not all.

Research

Research into adenoviruses has contributed significantly to our understanding of viral replication and the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. They have also been used as vectors in gene therapy and vaccine development.

See also

• Mastadenovirus
• Aviadenovirus
• Atadenovirus
• Siadenovirus
• Ichtadenovirus
• Viral replication
• Viral pathogenesis
• Gene therapy
• Vaccine development