Edmonston virus is a type of measles virus named after Edmonston, a town in Maryland, USA. The correct spelling of the virus is /ɛdmənstɔn ˈvaɪrəs/ (ed-muhn-ston vahy-ruhs) in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "ed" is pronounced like the name "Ed". The "o" in "ston" is pronounced like "ah". The stress is on the second syllable, "ston". This spelling helps to ensure correct pronunciation and clear communication about this infectious disease.
Edmonston virus refers to a strain of the measles virus that is commonly used in vaccines to induce immunity against measles infection. It is named after the town of Edmonston in Maryland, United States, where the original virus was isolated.
The Edmonston virus belongs to the Morbillivirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family and is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus. It primarily affects humans and is characterized by its ability to cause a systemic infection resulting in fever, rash, and respiratory symptoms.
This strain of the measles virus has been extensively attenuated, meaning its virulence has been significantly reduced through serial passage in cell culture. The lyophilized (freeze-dried) Edmonston strain is the most commonly used vaccine strain for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It is highly effective in eliciting an immune response and preventing measles infection.
The Edmonston virus is genetically stable, and its genomic sequence has been well-characterized. It has played a pivotal role in the successful control and elimination of measles in many regions of the world through vaccination programs. Furthermore, due to its extensive use in research and vaccine development, the Edmonston virus has contributed significantly to our understanding of immunology, viral pathogenesis, and vaccine strategies.
In summary, the Edmonston virus is a strain of the measles virus that is used to induce immunity against measles through vaccination. Its widespread use has been instrumental in preventing measles infection and controlling the spread of the disease.
The word "Edmonston virus" originates from the name of a person, rather than having a specific etymology. The virus is named after the Edmonston strain, which was derived from a virus sample obtained from a young boy named David Edmonston. In 1954, this strain was used to develop the measles vaccine. Therefore, "Edmonston virus" refers to the strain rather than having a direct etymological meaning.