Flaviviridae

Abstract

The family Flaviviridae comprises the genus Flavivirus, which contains 65 related species and two possible members. They are small, enveloped RNA viruses (diameter 45 nm) with peplomers comprising a single glycoprotein E. Other structural proteins are designated C (core) and M (membrane-like). The single strand of RNA is infectious and has a molecular weight of about 4 × 10⁶ and an m⁷G ‘cap’ at the 5’ end but no poly(A) tract at the 3’ end; it functions as the sole messenger. The gene sequence commences 5’-C-M-E... The replication strategy and the mode of morphogenesis are distinct from those of the Togaviridae which are slightly larger and morphologically similar in some respects. Flaviviruses infect a wide range of vertebrates, and many are transmitted by arthropods.

Molecular and biological characterization of a non-glycosylated isolate of St Louis encephalitis virus

“…St Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family of arboviruses (Karabatsos, 1980(Karabatsos, , 1985Westaway et al, 1985). This virus occurs widely in the Western Hemisphere, where human disease is well documented .…”

Preliminary analysis of murine cytotoxic T cell responses to the proteins of the flavivirus Kunjin using vaccinia virus expression

“…Kunjin virus (KUN) is a member of the family Flaviviridae, which includes many different human and animal pathogens, including yellow fever (YF) virus, West Nile (WN) virus and dengue (DEN) viruses (Westaway et al, 1985). KUN is widely distributed in Australia and New Guinea, and infection normally results in a mild or subclinical syndrome, although clinical disease is occasionally observed in humans and other animals (Monath, 1986).…”

Attenuation of virulence of flaviviruses following passage in HeLa cells

“…The flaviviruses are the sole members of the genus flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae (Westaway et al, 1985). At present the group consists of 68 species, of which 48~ are mosquito-borne and are responsible for epidemics such as yellow fever (YF), Japanese encephalitis and dengue.…”