Reoviridae
| Reoviruses | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Intact double-shelled Rotavirus particles | |
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group III (dsRNA) |
| Order: | Unassigned |
| Family: | Reoviridae |
| Subfamilies and Genera | |
Reoviridae is a family of viruses. They have a wide host range, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and fungi. They are unique in that they lack lipid envelopes and package their genomes of discrete double-stranded segments of RNA within multi-layered capsids. Lack of a lipid envelope has allowed three-dimensional structures of these large complex viruses (diameter,∼600–1,000 nm) to be obtained. There are currently 87 species in this family, divided among 30 genera. Reoviruses can affect the gastrointestinal system (such as Rotavirus) and respiratory tract. The name "Reo-" is derived from respiratory enteric orphan viruses. The term "orphan virus" refers to the fact that some of these viruses have been observed not associated with any known disease. Even though viruses in the Reoviridae family have more recently been identified with various diseases, the original name is still used.
Reovirus infection occurs often in humans, but most cases are mild or subclinical. Rotavirus, however, can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal distress in children, and lab studies in mice have implicated Orthoreovirus in the expression of coeliac disease in pre-disposed individuals. The virus can be readily detected in feces, and may also be recovered from pharyngeal or nasal secretions, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood. Despite the ease of finding Reovirus in clinical specimens, their role in human disease or treatment is still uncertain.
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