DELTARETROVIRUS INFECTIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Deltaretrovirus infections are a group of viral infections caused by a family of retroviruses known as deltaretroviruses. Retroviruses are a type of RNA virus that have the ability to reverse transcribe their RNA genome into DNA by means of the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
Deltaretroviruses predominantly infect T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. The most well-known deltaretrovirus is the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which is the main cause of deltaretrovirus infections in humans. Other members of the deltaretrovirus family include HTLV-2, -3, -4, -5, and simian T-cell lymphotropic virus (STLV).
Deltaretrovirus infections can lead to a range of clinical manifestations. For instance, HTLV-1 infection can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects T cells. Additionally, HTLV-1 can lead to HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a chronic neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the spinal cord.
Deltaretroviruses are typically transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, and sharing contaminated needles. Prevention and treatment strategies for deltaretrovirus infections are focused on reducing transmission through safe sex practices, screening donated blood, and early diagnosis and management of infected individuals. Antiretroviral therapy may be employed to suppress viral replication and delay disease progression in certain cases.
Common Misspellings for DELTARETROVIRUS INFECTIONS
- seltaretrovirus infections
- xeltaretrovirus infections
- celtaretrovirus infections
- feltaretrovirus infections
- reltaretrovirus infections
- eeltaretrovirus infections
- dwltaretrovirus infections
- dsltaretrovirus infections
- ddltaretrovirus infections
- drltaretrovirus infections
- d4ltaretrovirus infections
- d3ltaretrovirus infections
- dektaretrovirus infections
- deptaretrovirus infections
- deotaretrovirus infections
- delraretrovirus infections
- delfaretrovirus infections
- delgaretrovirus infections
- delyaretrovirus infections
- del6aretrovirus infections
Etymology of DELTARETROVIRUS INFECTIONS
The word "Deltaretrovirus Infections" can be broken down into its components to understand its etymology:
1. Deltaretrovirus: "Delta" refers to the Greek letter "delta" (Δ), which is shaped like a triangle. In virology, "Deltaretrovirus" is a genus of retroviruses known as "delta-like retroviruses". The term "retrovirus" refers to a type of RNA virus that uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to replicate its genetic material. Thus, "Deltaretrovirus" signifies a specific type of retrovirus within the delta genus.
2. Infections: The word "infection" comes from the Latin word "infectio", which means "to stain or infect". It refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria, within a host organism.
