''Alphaherpesvirinae'' is a subfamily of viruses in the family ''

Herpesviridae ''Herpesviridae'' is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ''ἕρπειν ...

'', primarily distinguished by reproducing more quickly than other subfamilies in the ''Herpesviridae''. In

animal virology Veterinary virology is the study of viruses in non-human animals. It is an important branch of veterinary medicine. Rhabdoviruses Rhabdoviruses are a diverse family of single stranded, negative sense RNA viruses that infect a wide range of hos ...

the most important herpesviruses belong to the Alphaherpesvirinae.

Pseudorabies virus Aujeszky's disease, usually called pseudorabies in the United States, is a viral disease in swine that has been endemic in most parts of the world. It is caused by ''Suid herpesvirus 1'' (SuHV-1). Aujeszky's disease is considered to be the mos ...

is the causative agent of

Aujeszky's disease Aujeszky's disease, usually called pseudorabies in the United States, is a viral disease in swine that has been endemic in most parts of the world. It is caused by ''Suid herpesvirus 1'' (SuHV-1). Aujeszky's disease is considered to be the mos ...

in pigs and ''

Bovine herpesvirus 1 ''Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1'' (BoHV-1) is a virus of the family ''Herpesviridae'' and the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae'', known to cause several diseases worldwide in cattle, including rhinotracheitis, vaginitis, balanoposthitis, abortion, co ...

'' is the causative agent of bovine infectious rhinotracheitis and pustular vulvovaginitis. Mammals serve as natural hosts. There are currently 45 species in this subfamily, divided among 5 genera with one species unassigned to a genus. Diseases associated with this subfamily include: HHV-1 and HHV-2: skin vesicles or mucosal ulcers, rarely encephalitis and meningitis, HHV-3:

chickenpox Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). The disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab ...

(varicella) and

shingles Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. Typically the rash occurs in a single, wide mark either on the left or right side of the body or face. ...

, GaHV-2:

Marek's disease Marek's disease is a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. It is named after József Marek, a Hungarian veterinarian who described it in 1907. Marek's disease is caused by an alphaherpesvirus known as "Marek's disease virus" ( ...

Genera

''Alphaherpesvirinae'' consists of the following five genera: * ''

Iltovirus ''Iltovirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae''. Birds, galliform birds, psittacine birds, chicken The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') ...

'' * ''

Mardivirus ''Mardivirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae''. Chickens, turkeys, and quail serve as natural hosts. There are six species in this genus. Diseases ass ...

'' * ''

Scutavirus ''Scutavirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae''. Turtles and tortoises serve as natural hosts. Diseases associated with this genus include fibropapillo ...

'' * ''

Simplexvirus ''Simplexvirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae''. Humans and mammals serve as natural hosts. Diseases associated with this genus include skin vesicles ...

'' * ''

Varicellovirus ''Varicellovirus'' (var′i-sel′ō-vi′rŭs) is a genus of viruses belonging to subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae'', a member of family ''Herpesviridae''. Humans and other mammals serve as natural hosts. There are 19 species in this genus. Disea ...

'' The species ''

Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 6 ''Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 6'' (ChHV-6) is a species of virus of uncertain generic placement in the subfamily ''Alphaherpesvirinae'', family ''Herpesviridae'', and order ''Herpesvirales The ''Herpesvirales'' is an order of dsDNA viruses (Bal ...

'' is currently unassigned to a genus.

Structure

Viruses in ''Alphaherpesvirinae'' are enveloped, with icosahedral, spherical to pleomorphic, and round geometries, and T=16 symmetry. The diameter is around 150-200 nm. Genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 120 to 180 kb in length.

Life cycle

Viral replication is nuclear, and is lysogenic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral gB, gC, gD and gH proteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the dsDNA bidirectional replication model. DNA-templated transcription, with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by leaky scanning. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear egress, budding, and microtubular outwards viral transport. Mammals serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are sexual, contact, body fluids, lesions, and respiratory.

References

External links

*
Viralzone: ''Alphaherpesvirinae''

ICTV

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1856108 Herpesviridae Animal virology Herpesvirales Virus subfamilies