Picornaviruses are a group of small, non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae. The term "picornavirus" is derived from the words "pico" (meaning very small) and "RNA," referring to the size and genetic material of these viruses. They are known for their small size, with a diameter ranging from 22 to 30 nanometers.
Picornaviruses primarily infect vertebrates, including humans, and are responsible for a wide range of diseases. The best-known picornaviruses that affect humans include rhinoviruses (common cold viruses), enteroviruses (such as poliovirus, coxsackievirus, and echovirus), and hepatitis A virus.
These viruses are highly contagious and are primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, respiratory secretions, or contaminated materials. They can cause a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild respiratory symptoms like the common cold to more severe diseases like meningitis, myocarditis, and paralysis (in the case of poliovirus). Hepatitis A virus specifically targets the liver, causing acute hepatitis.
Picornaviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that is approximately 7.2 to 8.5 kilobases in length. They replicate inside the host cell cytoplasm, utilizing their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme for replication. These viruses have a characteristic icosahedral capsid composed of four structural proteins, which protect their genetic material.
Understanding the molecular structure and replication cycle of picornaviruses is crucial for developing effective antiviral drugs and vaccines to combat the diseases they cause.
The word "picornaviruses" is derived from two components: "pico" and "rna viruses".
1. "Pico": The term "pico" is rooted in the Greek word "pikros", which means "small" or "tiny". It is used as a prefix in the International System of Units (SI) to denote a factor of 10^(-12), indicating a subunit that is one trillionth (1/1,000,000,000,000) of a unit. In the context of viruses, "pico" is used to describe extremely minute organisms, reflecting their small size.
2. "RNA Viruses": The second part of the term, "RNA viruses", refers to a specific group of viruses that have RNA (ribonucleic acid) as their genetic material instead of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).