San Miguel Sea Lion Viruses, a group of RNA viruses, are named after San Miguel Island located off the coast of California, where the viruses were first identified in 1971 in sea lions. The spelling of each word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "San" is pronounced /sæn/, "Miguel" is pronounced /miˈɡɛl/, "Sea" is pronounced /si/, "Lion" is pronounced /ˈlaɪən/ and "Viruses" is pronounced /ˈvaɪrəsəz/. These viruses primarily affect sea lions, and their infection can cause serious respiratory and neurological diseases.
San Miguel Sea Lion Viruses (SMSLV) refer to a group of predominantly single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae, specifically included in the genus Alphatorquevirus. These viruses are primarily associated with diseases affecting sea lions, most notably the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), which inhabits the Pacific coast of North America.
SMSLVs are characterized by their genetic makeup, which includes a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome that is approximately 7.3-7.9 kilobases in length. The genome contains a single long open-reading frame preceded by a 5' untranslated region (UTR) and followed by a 3’UTR. The coding region within the genome is responsible for encoding a polyprotein that undergoes proteolytic processing to generate individual viral proteins.
In terms of clinical manifestations, SMSLVs have been associated with encephalitis and other neurological diseases in sea lions. These viruses have been found to cause neuronal inflammation and degeneration, leading to debilitating neurological symptoms. Additionally, SMSLVs can result in reproductive failure and pneumonia in infected sea lions.
SMSLVs have been primarily detected in California sea lions, with infections usually occurring in juveniles and young adults. Transmission of these viruses mainly occurs via direct contact between infected individuals or through environmental contamination.
Further research is required to better understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of SMSLVs, as well as to develop effective preventive and therapeutic measures to mitigate their impact on sea lion populations.