LECTURE IV: CLASSIFICATION OF VIRUSES

Viruses can be classified based on:

*Nucleic acid type: DNA or RNA

* Shape: helix, Icosaheral, complex

*Envelope: Enveloped or Non Enveloped

*Host: Animal virus, plant, bacteria, human, insect

*Epidemiology/Parasitology e.g. enteric, arbovirus, respiratory, Dermatropic

Viruses have been classified by the ICTV (International committee on Taxonomy of virus) into
numerous families based primarily on genome structure, replication strategy, morphology and
genetic relatedness.

Based on the nucleic acid, David Baltimore classified viruses into seven (7) groups, designated by
Roman Numerals, according to how mRNA is produced during the replicative cycle of the virus.

Class I: double stranded (ds) DNA viruses e.g Adenoviridae, Poxviridae, Hepesvirus,
Papillomaviridae, Polyomaviridae

Class II: single stranded (ss) DNA viruses e.g. Parvoviridae

Class III: ds RNA viruses e.g. Reoviridae

Class IV: ssRNA with positive (+) sense e.g. Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae, Flaviviridae,
Togaviridae, Astroviridae and Coronaviridae

Class V: ssRNA with negative (–) sense e.g. Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae
and Filoviridae. Areraviridae, Bunyaviridae (Arenaviridae and Bunyaviridae are ssRNA with +/-
sense i.e ambisense)

Class VI: ssRNA with reverse Transcriptase (they have DNA intermediates) e.g. Retroviridae

Class VII: dsDNA using reverse Transcriptase (they have RNA intermediates) e.g. Hepadnaviridae
 SUMMARY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPORTANT HUMAN VIRUS FAMILIES
Family Nucleocapsid Envelope Genome Host
dsDNA viruses
Herpesviridae icosahedral yes 1ds linear120-240 V
Adenoviridae icosahedral No 1ds linear26-28 V
Poxviridae complex yes 1ds linear V,I
Papillomaviridae icosahedral No ids circular V

Polyomaviridae icosahedral No 1ds circular V

ssDNA viruses
Parvoviridae icosahedral No 1+,-or+/-linear V, I
dsRNA viruses
Reoviridae icosahedral yes 10-12ds linear V,I,P,F
Positive sense RNA viruses
Astroviridae icosahedral No 1+ linear, 6-8kb V
Caliciviridae icosahedral No 1+ linear, 7-8kb V
Coronavirus Helical Yes 1+ linear 26-32kb V
Flaviviridae spherical yes 1+ linear, 9-13kb V,I
Picornaviridae icosahedral No 1+ linear, 7-9kb V

Togaviridae icosahedral yes 1+ linear, 10-12kb V,I

Negative sense ssRNA viruses
Filoviridae Helical yes 1-linear V
Orthormyxoviridae Helical yes 6-linear V
Paramyxoviridae Helical yes 1-cellular V
Deltavirus isometric yes 1-cellular
Rabdpviridae Helical yes 1-linear V/P
Arenaviridae filamentous/complex yes 2+/-linear V
Bungaviridae filamentous/complex yes 3-or+/-linear V,I,P
ssRNA Reverse Transcriptase viruses
Retroviridae spherical yes 1+ linear v

ssDNA Reverse Transcriptase viruses

Hepadnavirdae spherical yes 1ds circular v
 SPECIFIC VIRAL FAMILY

Hepesviridae
Herpesviruses have historically been defined based on the architecture of the virion. A typical
herpes virion consist of a core, containing a linear dsDNA ranging from 124-205kb in length, an
icosahedral capsid approximately 125nm in diameter containing 161 capsomers which a hole
running down their long axis

Herpes virus are highly disseminated in nature; thus, nine herpes viruses have been identified that
have humans as their primary host. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), HSV2, Human Cytomegalo
virus (HCMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Herpes virus
6A,6B, and 7 (HHV-6A, HHV-6B, HHV-7) and Kaposi Sarcoma associated herpes virus (also
known as HHV-8).

Two forms of nomenclature are employed for herpes virus, an informal (also known as vernacular
or colloquial) nomenclature that often traces to the early days of virology and formal nomenclature
that is sanctioned by the ICTV. For example, the virus informally known as Epstein- Barr virus
(EBV) is formally known as HHV-4.

In the late 1970s, before viral DNA and amino acid sequences were known, herpesviruses were
initially classified into one family (the Herpesviridae) and three sub families (the Alpha
herpesvirinae, the Beta herpesvirinae, the Gamma Herpesvirinae. This framework remains useful
when the viruses have been further classified into genera.

Herpes virus of Human

Formal Name Abbreviation Vernacular name and synonyms Disease causes

Family Harpeviridae
Human HV1 HHV-1 Herpes simplex virus (type) 1 Oral Herpes

Human HV2 HHV-2 Herpes simplex virus (type)2 Genital Herpes

Human HV3 HHV-3 varicella- zoster virus Chickenpox

Human HV4 HHV-4 Epstein-Barr Virus Cancers (Burkitt lymphoma

and Nasopharyngeal cancer)
Human HV5 HHV-5 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects immunocompromised
Congenital CMV (still birth, miscarriage, death)
Human HV6A HHV-6 HH-6 variant A roseola infantum

HumanHV6B HHV-6B HH-6 variant B hepatitis, convulsions,

encephalitis
Human HV7 HHV-7 Herpes simplex virus (type) 7 febrile seizures/ encephalitis
In children
Human HV8 HHV-8 Kaposi sarcoma-associated HV Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer)
Lesions grow in skin, LN, lining of mouth, nose, throat etc
Adenoviridae

Adenoviruses were first isolated and characterized in 1953 by two groups who were searching for
the etiological agents of acute respiratory infections. The two isolated viruses were named
adenovirus after the original tissue (adenoid) in which they were discovered. In humans, beside
respiratory disease, adenovirus cause conjunctivitis and infantile gastroenteritis.

There are four linages corresponding to four genera to which adenovirus are classified. All human
adenovirus belong to the genus Mastadenovirus.

Fifty six(56) human adenovirus types have been recognized and are classified into seven (7) species
(A-G).

Classification schemes for human adenovirus (Genus Mastadenovirus) and associated infections.

Species/S.group Types/Serotype Major Site of Replication Associated Diseases.

HAdv-A 12,18,31 Respiratory, urinary,GI Cryptic enteric infection
HAdv-B 3,7,11,14,16, Respiratory, eye, urinary, GI Conjunctivitis, Acute Respirayory

21,34,35,50,55 disease, Hemorrhagic

crystitis, CNS
HAdv-C 1,2.5.6 Respiratory, Urinary, GI Enteric Infection,

Respiratory symptoms

HAdv-D 8,9,10,13, Eye, GI Keratoconjunctivitis in

15,17,20,22-30, immunocompromised and AIDs

32,33,36-39, patients

42-49, 51,53,54

HAdv-E 4 Eye, Respiratory Conjunctivitis, Acute

Respiratory disease

HAdv-F 40,41 GI Infantile diarrhea

HAdv-G 52 GI Gastroenteritis
Poxviridae

The poxviridae comprises a fascinating family of complex DNA virus that replicate entirely in the
cytoplasm of vertebrate and invertebrate cells. Two members of the family, variola virus (VARV)
and Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MOCV) are obligate human pathogen and others, such as
monkey pox virus (MRXV) can be transmitted from animal host to human and cause severe disease.

VARV was the cause of small pox, a once common and highly lethal disease that altered human
history. Small pox was eradicated in 1977 through a decidable effort spear-headed by the WHO,
nearly two countries after the introduction of highly effective prophylactic inoculation with cowpox
virus (CPXV) and vaccinia virus (VACV)

Based on vertebrate and insect host range respectively, Poxviruses are divided into two sub-families

1. Chordopoxvirinae
2. Entemopoxvirinae

Subfamily Genus Species

Chorodopoxvirus Avipox virus Contains 10 species e.g fowl pox, turkey pox

Cervidopox virus Only one species: Deer pox

Capripox virus (3 Species) goatpox, sheepox, lumpy skin disease

Leporipox virus (4 Species) e.g Myxoma, rabbit fibroma

Molluscipox virus (1 Spp) Molluscum contagiosum

Orthopox virus (9 Species) Camelpox, Cowpox, Monkeypox,

vaccinia, Variola ie small pox, parapox, sui pox
and Yatapox
Papillomaviridae

The papillomaviruses (PVS) comprises a group of non-enveloped epitheliotropic DNA virus that
induce benign lesions of the skin (warts) and mucous membranes (condylomas). Some PVS have
also been implicated in the development of epithelial malignance, especially cancer of the uterine
cervix, other tumor of the urinogenital tract and upper airway cancers.

The recognition that RVS are one important cause of human cancer has led to the development of
a preventive virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine targeted to the human papilloma virus (HPV)
types most often found in the cancers.

Papillomavirus are species specific and various types of HPVs infect human. HPVs are clustered
among 5 of genera; alpha, beta, gamma, mu and nu.

Most alpha PVS only affect genital and non-genital mucosal surface and the external genitalia. This
group of PVs is often referred to collectively as the genital mucoid types. The types that are
associated with cervical cancer often designated as “high risk” types are found in species 5,6,7,9
and 11. HPV 16, the type found most frequently in cervical cancer is a member of species 9 whereas
the next most common cancer associated type, HPV 18 is a member of species 7. HPV-6 which
cause most cutaneous genital wart is a specie 10 member

In contracts to the most species of the alpha genus, member of alpha species 4 (HPV-2, HPV27,
HPV57) are primarily infection for non-genital skin. The beta, gamma, mu and nu viruses also infect
non genital skin.
Polyomaviridae

They are a family of small, non-enveloped viruses consisting of circular double stranded DNA
(dsDNA) as their genome about 5kb in size. Four genera have been identified; Alphapolyomavirus,
Betapolyomavirus, Gammapolyomavirus and Deltapolyomavirus. Members of this genera can
infect both mammals and birds, however, they have specific host range. For example, BK virus
(BKV) and JC virus (JCV) which are members of the Polyomaviridae family are only able to infect
and cause disease in humans. They were the first Polyomavirus described, in 1971. The different
disease-causing strains exhibit differing patterns of injury. Below is a table showing different
members of the Polyomaviridae family and the associated disease.

S/N HPV Year Cell Tropism Associated Diseases

Discovered

1 BKV 1971 Kidney epithelium, Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC),

Urothelium Polyomavirus nephropathy (PVN)

2 JCV 1971 Kidney epithelium, Progressive multifocal

Lymphocytes, leukoencephalopathy (PML) also
Oligodendrocytes known as lytic brain lesions

3 KI 2007 - -

4 WU 2007 - -

5 MCV 2008 Merkel cells Merkel cell carcinoma

Other members of these family have been identified and more will still be as a result of new
molecular screening techniques. It is worthy of note that several polyomavirus strains can co-exist
in a host and in the same organ e.g., Kidney.
Parvoviridae

Parvoviruses are small, non-enveloped virus with a linear, single stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome
of about 5,000 bases.

The family parvoviridae is divided into 2 sub families, parvovirinae and Densovirinae (infects
invertebrate). The parvovirinae are divided into five genera: Amdovirus, Bocavirus, Dependo virus,
Erythrovirus and parvovirus.

The adeno associated virus (AAVs) among the dependeovirus require co infection with a helper
virus for productive infection, whereas the other are all autonomous. The AAV helper virus most
commonly an adenovirus or less frequently herpes virus

The B19 virus infection is associated with transient aplastic crisis (TAC) in patient with sickle cell
disease and with childhood filter disease and post-infection arthralgia.

Note

During an aplastic crisis, the bone marrow stops making red blood cells for a short time. This is
called transient (temporary) aplastic crisis. However, Aplastic anemia is a rare, potentially fatal
disease in which the bone marrow doesn't make enough blood cells.
Reoviridae

Members of the reoviridae form non-enveloped virions composed of 1 to 3 concentric protein shells.
The genomes of these virus consist of 9 to 12 discrete segments of dsRNA. Reovirus is an acronym
for respiratory enteric orphan virus; infection of human by virus usually involves the respiratory
and intestinal tracts with minimal or no associated disease symptoms therefore the virus is an
“orphan”

The reoviridae family now includes 15 genera of dsRNA virus that infect a wide range of plants,
animal, fungi and protozoa.

Reoviridae is the largest and most diverse family of dsRNA virus. The viral particle displays
icosahedral symmetry with a diameter of 65 to 80nm. The protein capsid is organized as one, two,
or three concentric “capsid” layers which surround the dsRNA segment of the viral genome

The 15 genera of the reoviridae are divided into two groups based on particle morphology: the
sedoreovirinae subfamily and the spinareovirinae (infect other mammals, insects, fungi)

Reoviridae

Genus Numbers of segments Host

Sedoreoviridae

Cerdoreovirus 12 Crustaceans

Mimoreovirus 11 Marine protists

Orbivirus 10 Mammals, birds, arthropods

Phytoreovirus 12 Plants, insects

Rotavirus (causes diarrhea) 11 Mammals, birds

Seadonavirus 12 Humans, Insects

Flaviviridae

These are positively RNA virus, the first human virus, Yellow fever virus (YFV) was discovered
over a century ago, the family currently consist of three genera: Flavivirus, Pestivirus (from the latin
pestis, “plague”) and Hepacivirus (from the greek hepar, hepatos, “liver”). A fourth genus, pegivirus
(persistent GB virus) has recently been proposed to encompass the previously unclassified GB virus
A( GBV-A), GBV-C and GBV-D.

Members of Flaviviridae

Taxonomic Unit Representative Examples

Genus Flavivirus

Mosquito-borne virus YFV, Denge virus type1 to 4 (DENV-1 to DENV-4)

Japanese Encephalotitis (JEV)

Kokobera virus (KOKV)

West Nile virus (WNV)

Tick borne virus Tick borne encephalitis virus

Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV)

Tyuleniy virus (TYEV)

Virus with no Vector Modoc virus (MOD) Rio Bravo virus (RBV)

Unclassified Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV)

Genus Hepacivirus HCV (Seven genotype)

GB virus B (GBV –B; unclassified)

Conna Hapaci virus (CHV, unclassified)

Genus Pestivirus Bovine viral diarrhea virus1 and 2 (BVDV-1&2)

Border disease virus (BDV)

Classical severe fever virus (CSFV)

Genus Pegivirus (Proposed) GB virus A (GBV-A)

GB virus C(GBV-C) “Hepatitis G virus (HGV)

GB virus D (GBV-D)
Astroviridae

The family Astroviridae include human and animal astroviruses that shows icosahedral
morphology. They are non-enveloped and their genome is composed of positive ssRNA with three
open –reading frames, whose organization distinguishes them from other virus families.

Astroviruses (ASTV) have been isolated from a variety of animal species. In most mammals, ASTV
infection are associated with gastroenteritis. In particular, human astrovirus have been found to be
the second or third most common cause of viral diarrhea in young children and cause of sporadic
gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Two genera are distinguished within the astrovirus family: Manastrovirus and Avatrovirus.

Virus belonging to the genus manastrovirus include isolate from a number of mammals including
human pigs (PASTV), cats (Fe ASTV), Minks (MAstV), sheep (OAstV), calves (BoAstV), dogs
(CaAstV), bats(BAstV), rats (RAstV), deer (CcAstV) etc. This genus include two genogroups GI
and GII with 10 and 9 genotypes species respectively. Both genogroups comprise virus from human
and animal origin. HAstV previously classified within one species that comprise serotypes 1 to 8
(based on reactivity to hyper immune sera: HAstV -1 to-8) are now include in the proposed genotype
GI of genogroupe I

Viruses from the genus Avastrovirus include isolate from turkey (TAstV), duck (DAstV), chicken
(CAstV) and guinea fowl. This genus includes two proposed species in genotype GI (GIA, GIB)
and one in genogroup II (GIIA)
Coronaviridae

This family comprises of large, enveloped, single stranded RNA viruses with genome within the
range of 25-32 kb as well as virions having a diameter of between 118-140nm. They are the largest
known RNA viruses. The Coronaviridae consist of 2 subfamilies namely Coronavirinae and
Torovirinae. Four genera are found within the subfamily Coronavirinae and they include: alpha-,
beta-, gamma-, and deltacoronaviruses, while Genus Torovirus is the only genus found in the
subfamily Torovirinae. Both members of the subfamilies are enteric and respiratory tract pathogens
and often cause mild diseases (or asymptomatic infection). Exception to this are the human severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
coronavirus which caused severe respiratory diseases.

All members of the Coronaviridae have similar replicative strategy for the mRNA synthesis in
which the polymerase complex moves or jump from one region of the template to a more distant
region.

Subfamily Torovirinae

Genus Torovirus
Toroviruses have been isolated from mammals but rarely from humans. They are composed of
surface spikes and a nucleocapsid which is doughnut-shaped.

Subfamily Coronavirinae
They are also widely distributed among mammals usually cause mild respiratory or enteric
infection. Bats are regarded as large and highly mobile reservoirs of coronaviruses (CoVs) and more
than 60 CoVs have been isolated from bat (BtCoV) usually from the genus betacoronavirus. Also,
several species of bat have their own specific BtCoV (Bat Coronavirus) which is indicative of a
long evolutionary history.

Epidemiology-Timeline
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that took place in 2002 changed the
perception of CoVs from viruses that causes mild infection in humans. The outbreak was associated
with infection with a new CoV called SARS-CoV. This sparked more interest in investigating the
replication, distribution, evolution, transmission as well as pathogenesis of CoVs. Following this in
the year 2012, was the outbreak of a severe respiratory disease in the middle east where another
CoV different from SARS-CoV was isolated as the causal and this was tagged Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). More recent is the global outbreak of another severe
respiratory disease caused by a new member of CoV tagged SARS-CoV-2, which has been and still
resulting in several morbidity and mortality across the globe. This outbreak started from Wuhan
China in late December, 2019 but became a global concern in March, 2020 after it was declared a
pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are implicated in many important animal diseases. The very first was the
Infectious bronchitis virus of chickens identified in the 1930s as coronavirus. In 2014 in the US,
millions of piglets were reported to have died from infection by a pig coronavirus.
Caliciviridae

The family Caliciviridae is composed of small (27 to 40nm) non-enveloped, Icosahedral virus that
possess a linear, positive sense, ssRNA genera

The five genera of the family are NoV, SaV, Nebovirus, Lagovirus and Vesivirus. Each represent a
distinct phylogenic clade in the family. The major human pathogen in the family are the Norovirus
(NoV) and Sapovirus (SaV) which cause acute gastroenteritis. Within each genus, one or more
species has been defined based primarily on genetic relatedness. The current taxonomic structure
of the Caliciviridae.

Taxonomic Structure of the Caliciviridae

Genus Species

Norovirus (NoV) Norwalk virus

Sapovirus (Sav) Sapporo virus

Lagovirus Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV)

NEbovirus Newbury-1 virus (NBV)

Vesivirus Vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV)

Togaviridae

The togaviruses are simple enveloped positive stranded RNA virus that are spherical in appearance
and contribute significantly to human disease. They are classified into two distinct genera:
Alphavirus and the Rubivirus. The Alpha virus genus is by far the larger of the two, which about
30 recognized members, shares the rubivirus genus is composed of a single member rubella virus.

The alphaviruses are responsible for a variety of human and animal disease, involving encephalitis,
arthritis, fever and rash and are transmitted primarily by arthropod vectors. Rubella virus is a
common childhood disease for which an effective vaccine is available. However, in the absence of
immunity, the virus can induce severe congenital defects in the fetuses of an infected woman.

Genus Alphavirus include sindbis virus (SINV), semiliki forest virus (SFV), Ross River virus
(RRV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), western- equine encephalitis virus (WEEV),
Chikungunya (CHIKV), Aura virus and Barmah Forest virus (BFV).

Picornaviridae

Viruses in the family picornaviridae have non enveloped particles with a ssRNA genome of positive
polarity. Among its important member are the Poliovirus, Hapatitis A virus, Foot and Mouth
Disease Virus (FMDV), enterovirus 71 and Rhinovirus. The name of the virus family was intended
to convey the small size of the viruses (pico, a small unit of measurement [10-12]) and the type of
nucleic acid that constitute the viral genome (RNA). The family Picornaviridae comprises 12 genera
which all contain viruses that infect vertebrate. Information on selected viruses is summarized
below:

Members of the family Picornaviridae

Genus Species

Apthovirus FMDV, Equine rhinitis A virus, Rhinitis B

Avihepatovirus Duck hepatitis A

Cardiovirus Encephalomycarditis virus

Enterovirus Human enterovirus A (coxsackievirus, enterovirus)

Human enterovirus B (coxsackievirus, echovirus enterovirus)

Human enterovirus C (Poliovirus, Coxsacke, entero)

Human enterovirus (enterovirus)

Porcine enterovirus B

Simian enterovirus A
 Human rhinovirus A, B, C

Erbovirus Equine rhinitis B virus

Hepatovirus Hepatitis A

Kobuvirus Aichi virus

Parechovirus Human parechovirus

Sapelovirus

Senacavirus Animal Virus

Tremovirus

Tesschovirus

Filoviridae

The family filoviridae consist of enveloped viruses whose genera are composed of a non-segmented,
negative (-ve) stranded RNA molecule.

According to the ICTV, they are classified into two genera: Marburgvirus (MARV) and Ebolavirus
(EBOV). The Marburgvirus genus contain a single species: Lake Victoria Marburgvirus. There is a
greater divergence within the Ebola virus species; five species have been recognized: Zaire
ebolavirus (types species ZEBOV), Sudan ebola virus (SEBOV), Reston ebola virus (REBOV), Tai
Forest ebola virus, (formerly Ivory Coast or Cote d’ Ivoire ebolavirus, ICEBOV or CIEBOV) and
Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV)
Because of their high mortality rate, their potential for person-to-person transmission, and a lack of
an approved vaccine or anti-viral therapy, MARV and EBOV are classified as biosafety level 4
(BSL-IV, risk group 4) pathogens, for which maximum containment facilities are required when
handling the infectious agent.
Arenaviridae
Arenaviridae cause chronic infection of rodents indigenous to Europe, Africa, the Americas and
perhaps other continent. These asymptomatically infected animals move freely in natural habitat
and may invade human habitation. When human come in contact with excreted virus, disease may
result.
Arenavirus infection of human are common and, in some cases, severe; several members of the
groups are responsible for severe acute infection termed hemorrhagic fevers. The first isolated
arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was discovered in 1933 during the study
of sample from a St-louis encephalitis endemic.

Arena viruses that are known to be human pathogens:

Virus Host in Nature Geographical Disease Case
distribution Fatality

Lymphocytic Mus domesticus Europe,America, Lymphocytic <1%

choriomeningitis mus musculus chroriomenigitis
perhaps elsewhere

Lassa Mastomys spp West Africa Lassa fever 15%

Junin Calomys Argentina Acute hemorrhagic 15%-30%

fever (AHF)
Musculinus Panpas

Machupo Calomys callosus Beni region of Bolivian 25%

Bolivia hemorrhagic fever

Guanarito Zygodontomys, Venezuela Venezuelan 25%

brevicauda,
Hemorrhagic fever
sigmodon alstoni

1/3

Sabia Unknown Brazil Not yet named

White water Arroyo Neotoma New Mexico Not yet named 3/3
albigula
Califonia

(United State)
Rhabdoviridae
The family Rhabdoviridae consists of more than 185 different viruses isolated from both plants and
animals. They are enveloped virus that have helical nucleocapsids containing single- stranded,
negative- sense RNA and share a common elongated, rod-like or bullet-like shape. This distinctive
morphology separates rhabdoviruses from filoviridae and the paramyxoviridae.
Rhabdoviruses can replicate in plants, invertebrates, or vertebrates. The family consists of many
members that are significant medical, veterinary and agriculture pathogens. Rabies caused by rabies
virus is one the oldest recognized infectious disease.
Currently, animal rhabdoviruses include for genera: Lyssavirus, Vesiculovirus, Ephemerovirus and
Novirhabdo virus.

Taxonomy of Rhabdoviridae
Virus Species
Genus vesiculovirus
Carajas virus, chandipora virus, Maraba virus, vesicular stomatitis Alagoas virus, versicular
stomatitis New jersey virus etc.
Genus Lyssavirus
Aravan virus, Duvenhage virus, Lagos bat virus, Mokola virus, rabies virus etc
Genus Ephemerovirus
Adelaide river virus, Berrinab virus, Bovine ephemeral fever virus
Genus Novirhabdo virus
Hirame rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus, snake head virus, viral herrmologic
septicemia virus.
Paramyxoviridae
They are enveloped negative stranded RNA virus. They include some of the great and ubiquitous
disease-causing agent viruses of human and animals including measles virus (the most infectious
virus known) parainfluenza, mumps virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinderpest (have been
eradicated) New castle disease virus (have a major economic impact on poultry rearing etc).
The family paramyxoviridae is classified into two subfamilies: the paramyxovirinae and
pneumovirinae. The paramyxovirinae contains seven genera; the pneumovirinae contain two.
Examples of members of the family paramyxoviridae are given below:

Family paranyxoviridae

Sub family paramyxovirinae

Genus Rubulavirus: Mumps virus (MuV)) parainfluenza virus
Type 5 previously called simian virus 5
Human parainfluenza virus Type 2, Types 4a and 4b
Mapuera virus, porcine rubella virus

Genus Avulavirus: New castle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus 1)

Genus Respirovirus: sandai virus (mouse parainfluenza virus type 1)

Human parainflenza virus type 1 and 3
Bovine parainfluenza virus type3

Genus Henipavirus: Hendra virus, Nipah virus

Genus Ferlavirus: Fer-de-Lance virus

Genus Aquaparamyxo virus: Atlantic sakmon paramyxovirus
Genus morbillivirus: Measles, Canine distemper Virus (CDV), Rhinderpest virus

Subfamily Pneumoviridae
Genus Pneumovirus: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV)
Genus Matapneumovirus: Human matapneumovirus, Avian metapneumovirus
Orthomyxoviridae

The family orthomyxoviridae is defined by viruses that have a negative sense single stranded RNA
genome.

There are six different genera in the family or orthomyxoviridae: the influenza virus A,B, and C;
Thogotovirus, Isavirus and a new genus, Quaranfilvirus

Influenza remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and large segments of the
human population are affected every year. In addition, many animals’ species can be infected by
influenza viruses and some of these viruses may give rise to pandemic strains in human, as in the
case of the 2009 HINI pandemic.
Different influenza virus strains are named according to their genus (type), the species from which
the virus was isolated (omitted if human), location of the isolation and in the case of the influenza
A viruses, the hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) subtype
Bunyaviridae

The family Bunyaviridae was formally established in 1975. The associated criteria for inclusion in
the family are: enveloped virions of 80 to 120nm in diameter, containing a tripartite single stranded
RNA genome of negative or ambi-sense polarity, which replicate in the cytoplasm and usually
assemble at the Golgi complex.

Species in the Family Bungaviridae

Genus Species Geographic Principal vector Disease
distribution

Orthobunyavirus Acaravirus South America Mosquito Cattle

North America

Bunyanweravirus Africa Mosquito Human

Hantavirus Oligoryzomys

Andesvirus South Africa Longicaudatus Human

Navovirus Crimean-congo Africa, Asia Culicoid flies, Human

Hemorrhagic Europe ticks

fever virus

Phlebovirus Rift valley fever Africa Mosquito Hunan

virus
Cattle

Tospovirus Groundnut South Africa, T. occidentalis plant

ringspot virus Africa
Retroviridae

The retrovirus family (the retroviridae) are a large and diverse group of viruses found in all
vertebrate. These viruses replicate through an extraordinary and unique life cycle, differentiating
them sharply from other viruses. The virion particle generally contains a genomic RNA, but upon
entry into the host cell, this RNA is reverse transcribed into a DNA form of the genome that is
integrated into the host chromosomal DNA. The integrated form of the virus DNA, the provirus the
serves as the template for the formation of the viral RNA and protein that assemble progeny virions

According to the ICTV, the family retroviridae has been classified into seven (7): the alpha, beta,
gamma, delta, epsilon retroviruses, the lentivirus are the spumavirus. The alpha, beta and gamma
retrovirus are considered “simple” retroviruses while the remaining 4 are considered “complex”.
The simple virus encodes only the Gag, Pro, Pol and Env gene products while the complex viruses
encode these same gene products but also an array of small regulatory protein with a range of
functions.

Retrovirus Genera

Name Example

Alpha Retrovirus Avian leukosis virus (ALV) and Rius Sarcoma virus

Beta Retrovirus Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)

Gamma Retrovirus Murine leukemia virus (MLV), Feline leukemia virus

(FeLV)

Delta Retrovirus Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1, 2, Simian T-

lymphotropic virus.

Epsilon Retrovirus Walleye dermal Sarcoma virus

Lentivirus Retrovirus HIV-type1, HIV-type 2, Simian Immunodeficiency virus

(SIV), Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Spumavirus Retrovirus Human foamy virus

Hepadnaviridae (dsDNA Reverse Transcriptase)

The hepatitis B like viruses is assigned to the family Hepadnaviridae (Hepatitis DNA virus) for
which human HBV is the prototype. The family consist two (2) genera: the Orthohepadna viruses
infecting mammals and the avihepadnaviruses infecting birds.

Eight HBV genotypes (A to H) have been identified. Genotype A is found in western and northern
Europe as well as Africa. Genotype B and C are found in Asia, D is observed mainly in the
Mediterranean basin. Genotype E is observed mainly in Africa. F has been identified in South
America and Polynesia.

Genotypes G has been identified in chronic carriers living in France and the US, often in co-
infection with genotype A. Finally, genotype H has been discovered in Amerindians and Central
America.