How Do You Spell BORNAVIRUSES?
Pronunciation: [bˈɔːnɐvˌa͡ɪɹəsɪz] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [bˈɔːnɐvˌa͡ɪɹəsɪz] (IPA)
Bornaviruses are a group of RNA viruses that belong to the family Bornaviridae. They are known to infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. These viruses are characterized by their ability to cause neurological disorders and encephalitis in their hosts.
Bornaviruses have a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome that is encapsulated by a helical nucleocapsid protein. They are non-segmented and do not have a poly-A tail. The viral genome encodes for six major proteins, including the nucleocapsid protein, phosphoprotein, glycoprotein, matrix protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and another unknown protein.
These viruses are typically transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated environments, although the exact mode of transmission may vary between species. Infection with bornaviruses can lead to various clinical symptoms, including behavioral changes, paralysis, seizures, and abnormal feather or fur growth.
Although most bornavirus infections are asymptomatic or cause mild disease, some species are associated with severe and often fatal neurological syndromes. One of the most well-known examples is Borna disease virus (BDV), which affects horses, sheep, and other domestic animals. In humans, there have been reports of bornavirus infections leading to encephalitis or mood disorders, but the exact implications of these infections are still being investigated.
The word "Bornaviruses" is derived from the combination of two components: "Borna" and "viruses".
1. "Borna": The term "Borna" is related to a town called "Borna" in Saxony, Germany. The town gained historical significance due to an outbreak of a neurological disease called "Borna disease" among horses, which was first recognized there in the 18th century. Borna disease was later associated with a virus known as "Borna disease virus" (BDV), and this naming convention led to the use of "Borna" to refer to this specific virus genus.
2. "viruses": The term "viruses" is derived from Latin "virus", which originally referred to venom or poisonous substances. In the context of microbiology, it came to be used to describe small infectious agents that can replicate only inside the cells of living organisms.
