BETAHERPESVIRINAE Meaning and
Definition
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Betaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of the family Herpesviridae, a group of large, enveloped DNA viruses that primarily infect vertebrates, including humans. This subfamily comprises several members of the herpesvirus family, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), roseoloviruses, and some animal herpesviruses.
Betaherpesvirinae viruses have a characteristic double-stranded DNA genome that is enclosed within an icosahedral capsid and surrounded by an envelope derived from the host cell membrane. They are typically transmitted through direct contact or respiratory droplets.
These viruses are known for their ability to establish lifelong latent infections in the host, which means that after the initial infection, the virus remains in the body indefinitely and can reactivate under certain conditions, leading to recurrent episodes of disease. For example, HCMV can cause severe complications in immunocompromised individuals, such as transplant recipients or people living with HIV/AIDS.
In terms of pathogenesis, betaherpesviruses are known to infect a wide range of tissues and organs, including the salivary glands, lungs, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. They have been associated with a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to more severe conditions like pneumonia, encephalitis, and congenital disorders.
Research efforts have focused on understanding the molecular biology, host interactions, and immune responses associated with betaherpesviruses in order to develop effective antiviral therapies and preventative measures.
Common Misspellings for BETAHERPESVIRINAE
- vetaherpesvirinae
- netaherpesvirinae
- hetaherpesvirinae
- getaherpesvirinae
- bwtaherpesvirinae
- bstaherpesvirinae
- bdtaherpesvirinae
- brtaherpesvirinae
- b4taherpesvirinae
- b3taherpesvirinae
- beraherpesvirinae
- befaherpesvirinae
- begaherpesvirinae
- beyaherpesvirinae
- be6aherpesvirinae
- be5aherpesvirinae
- betzherpesvirinae
- betsherpesvirinae
- betwherpesvirinae
- betqherpesvirinae
Etymology of BETAHERPESVIRINAE
The word "Betaherpesvirinae" is derived from the combination of two parts: "beta" and "herpesvirinae".
The term "herpesvirinae" comes from the word "herpesvirus", which is a class of viruses characterized by their ability to cause latent infections. The word "herpes" has its roots in the Greek word "herpein", meaning "to creep" or "to crawl", referencing the tendency of herpes viruses to establish latent infections in nerve cells.
The prefix "beta" in "Betaherpesvirinae" is used to classify the subfamily of viruses within the Herpesviridae family. The usage of the term "beta" likely originates from the Greek letter "beta", which is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. It is commonly used in scientific nomenclature to indicate middle or intermediate stages.
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