PICORNAVIRIDAE

and

CALICIVIRIDAE

By: Rochelle V. Villa-Abrille

BSN-2

PICORNAVIRIDAE
The name
picornavirus means
little RNA virus (pico
means very small).
are among the oldest
viruses.
are also among the
most diverse viruses,
with over 200
serotypes causing
infections such as
polio, hepatitis -A,&
the common colds.

foot- and-mouth disease virus

(genus: Apthovirus), which causes
infections in livestock, was one of
the first viruses to be recognized
(discovered by Loeffler and Frosch
in 1898).

GENERA:

Enterovirus
Rhinovirus
Hepatovirus
Apthovirus
Cardiovirus
Parechovirus
Erbovirus
Kobuvirus
Teschovirus

GENOME STRUCTURE:
consists of a single
molecule of linear, positivesense, single strand RNA.
non-segmented.
the complete genome is
7000-8500 nucleotides
long.
Internal Ribosome Entry
Site (IRES),w/c is a
secondary structure
distinguishes
picornaviruses from other
RNA viruses; this structure
is important in translation
and replication.

Virion Structure of a
Picornavirus

consist of a non-enveloped,
icosahedrally symmetric capsid.
consist of 12 capsomers.
has a diameter of 27-30nm, which
makes it one of the smallest of all
viruses.
tightly packed into the capsid.
four unique proteins of capsid:
-VP1,2,3,and 4.

Reproductive Cycle of a Picornavirus

In a Host Cell
it attaches to a host cell.
virus replication occurs entirely in
the cytoplasm.
release of the virus occurs when
cell lysis occurs.

4 Picornavirus Genera that

cause
Human disease:
Enteroviruses
Rhinoviruses
Hepatovirus
Parechoviruses

Enteroviruses
transmitted through the fecal-oral
route and are highly communicable.
cause wide variety of syndromes
that range in severity from mild and
non-neurologic to neurologic,
paralytic, and fatal.
poliomyelitis
o commonly known as polio.
o infectious disease caused by
polioviruses 1,2, and 3 in the
enterovirus genus.

transmitted through the fecal-oral

route, either directly from personto-person or indirectly through
contaminated water sources.
o characterized by permanent
paralysis due to spinal nerve
damage and muscular wasting.
o commonly affected are young
children.
o

Rhinoviruses
transmitted through the respiratory
route and replicate in the nose
( rhino ).
it causes common cold.

Hepatovirus
is the lone virus in its own genus.
transmitted through the fecal-oral
route, which is manifested most
often by ingestion of contaminated
food and water.
the resulting disease is Hepatitis-A.

Parechoviruses

these viruses are closely related to

the ECHOvirus group, a name that
refers to Enteric Cytophatic Human
Orphan virus.

CALICIVIRIDAE
***

DEFINITION
are a family of viruses, members of
Class IV of the Baltimore Scheme.
positive-sense, single stranded RNA
which is non-segmented.
have been found in a number of
organisms such as humans, cattle,
pigs, cats, chickens, reptiles,
dolphins, and amphibians.
simple construction and are not
enveloped.

capsid appears
hexagonal/spherical and
has icosahedral
symmetry w/ a diameter
of 35-39nm.
are not very well studied
because until recently
they could not be grown
in culture, and there is no
suitable animal model.
the name calicivirus is
derived from the Greek
word calyx meaning
cup or goblet.

Taxonomy
Include the following genera:
Lagovirus; type species: Rabbit
hemorrhagic
disease virus.
Nebovirus
Norovirus; type species: Norwalk
virus.
Sapovirus; type species: Sapporo
virus.
Vesivirus; type species: Vesicular

2 additional genera have

been
proposed:
a.) Recovirus- was detected in stool
specimens from rhesus
monkeys.
b.) Valovirus- novel group of swine
caliciviruses known as the St.-Valerien-like
viruses.
These genera have yet to be officially
approved. There are a number of other
unclassified caliciviruses including the
chicken calicivirus.

Transmission
transmitted generally through the
fecal-oral route.
also transmitted via the respiratory
route.

Human Disease
commonly cause acute
gastroenteritis which is the
inflammation of the stomach and
intestines (e.g. Norwalk virus and
Sapovirus).
symptoms include vomiting and
diarrhea; generally last for 3 days.

Epidemiology/Geographic distribution

have a worldwide distribution and

noroviruses are a major cause of
epidemic non-bacterial
gastroenteritis.

Treatment
normally infections do not require
medical attention.
rehydration therapy may be used in
these instances.

Prevention
handwashing is an effective
preventative measure.
sanitizing surfaces is also
recommended in preventing the
spread of infection.