MAEDI VIRUSES Meaning and
Definition
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Maedi viruses are a family of retroviruses that primarily affect sheep and goats, causing a chronic inflammatory lung disease called Maedi-Visna. The term "Maedi" is derived from an Icelandic word meaning "labored breathing." These viruses are classified in the genus Lentivirus, which belongs to the family Retroviridae. Lentiviruses are known for their ability to cause long-lasting or chronic infections.
Maedi viruses primarily target the respiratory system of infected animals, leading to progressive, irreversible lung damage. The viruses can spread through respiratory secretions, such as nasal discharge or saliva, or via ingestion of virus-contaminated milk or colostrum. In addition to respiratory symptoms, infected animals may exhibit weight loss, reduced milk production, and general weakness.
The term "Maedi-Visna" refers to a combined form of the disease in sheep, where "Visna" denotes a viral infection that primarily affects the nervous system. Affected sheep may develop encephalitis leading to neurological symptoms like ataxia and paralysis. In goats, the term "Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)" is used to denote a similar disease caused by Maedi virus infection.
The control and prevention of Maedi viruses involve testing, culling, and implementing strict sanitary measures to prevent the transmission of infection. The impact of these viruses on the sheep and goat industry is significant, leading to reduced productivity, economic losses, and impaired animal welfare.
Common Misspellings for MAEDI VIRUSES
- naedi viruses
- kaedi viruses
- jaedi viruses
- mzedi viruses
- msedi viruses
- mwedi viruses
- mqedi viruses
- mawdi viruses
- masdi viruses
- maddi viruses
- mardi viruses
- ma4di viruses
- ma3di viruses
- maesi viruses
- maexi viruses
- maeci viruses
- maefi viruses
- maeri viruses
- maeei viruses
- maedu viruses
Etymology of MAEDI VIRUSES
The word "Maedi" is derived from the Greek term "Μαιδιαίος" (pronounced "Maideiaios"), which means "sheep". "Viruses" is the plural of the Latin word "virus", which originally meant "poison" or "venom". Therefore, the term "Maedi Viruses" combines the Greek word for "sheep" with the Latin plural for "poison" or "venom", indicating a group of viruses that primarily affect sheep. Specifically, Maedi viruses belong to the Lentivirus genus and are known to cause progressive pneumonia in sheep.
