Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
[Flaviviruses].
Tomohiro Ishikawa1, Eiji Konishi
1Department of Microbiology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine. toishika@dokkyomed.ac.jp
Uirusu
|August 25, 2012
Summary
Flaviviruses like dengue and West Nile virus are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, making eradication difficult. This review covers flavivirus nature, epidemiology, replication, immune evasion, and current antivirals and vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Flaviviruses, including Dengue Virus (DENV) and West Nile Virus (WNV), pose significant global health threats.
- Their transmission cycles involve diverse mammalian and avian hosts and arthropod vectors (mosquitoes, ticks), complicating eradication efforts.
- Recent advancements have deepened our understanding of flavivirus replication, protein structure, and immune evasion strategies.
Purpose:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the Flaviviridae family, genus Flavivirus.
- To detail the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and public health impact of flaviviruses.
- To review current knowledge on viral replication, host-pathogen interactions, immune responses, and immune evasion mechanisms.
Summary:
- This review synthesizes current research on flaviviruses, covering their natural history, epidemiology, and transmission.
- It elaborates on the molecular mechanisms of flavivirus replication and the intricate strategies viruses employ to evade host immunity.
- The review also discusses the development of novel antiviral therapies and vaccines targeting these significant pathogens.
Impact:
- Enhanced understanding of flavivirus biology and epidemiology can inform public health interventions.
- Knowledge of viral replication and immune evasion facilitates the design of targeted antiviral drugs.
- Advances in vaccine development offer improved strategies for preventing and controlling flavivirus infections worldwide.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
01:25Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
01:28Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
01:27Influenza
Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...