Filovirus

Filovirus is a type of virus that belongs to the family Filoviridae and the order Mononegavirales. The family includes three genera: Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus, and Ebolavirus. There are five species of Ebolaviruses and one species of Marburgvirus. The most well-known Filovirus is the Ebola virus, which causes severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals.

Overview

Filoviruses are filamentous viruses that cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. The name 'filovirus' is derived from the Latin filum, meaning 'thread' or 'filament', which refers to the unique thread-like structure of these viruses.

Structure and Genome

Filoviruses are enveloped, non-segmented, negative-sense RNA viruses. The virus particles are long and filamentous, with a unique "shepherd's crook" or "6" shape. The genome of filoviruses is approximately 19 kilobases in length and encodes seven structural proteins.

Pathogenesis and Transmission

Filoviruses are zoonotic viruses, meaning they are transmitted to humans from animals. The natural reservoir of filoviruses is believed to be fruit bats. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected animals or their body fluids. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.

Prevention and Treatment

There is currently no specific treatment for filovirus infections. Supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. There are experimental vaccines and treatments under development, but they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

See Also

• Ebola virus
• Marburg virus
• Hemorrhagic fever
• Zoonotic diseases

Filovirus Resources
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