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Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection
Published on: January 26, 2019
Defective Interfering Particles of Negative-Strand RNA Viruses
Christopher M Ziegler1, Jason W Botten2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
Abstract:
Viral defective interfering particles (DIPs) were intensely studied several decades ago but research waned leaving open many critical questions. New technologies and other advances led to a resurgence in DIP studies for negative-strand RNA viruses. While DIPs have long been recognized, their exact contribution to the outcome of acute or persistent viral infections has remained elusive. Recent studies have identified defective viral genomes (DVGs) in human infections, including respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, and growing evidence indicates that DVGs influence disease severity and may contribute to viral persistence. Further, several studies have advanced our understanding of key viral and host factors that regulate DIP formation and activity. Here we review these discoveries and highlight key questions moving forward.
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