Alphaviruses Current Biology [Hardcover]

Alphaviruses comprise a fascinating group of small, enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense, RNA viruses. They are usually transmitted by arthropod vectors (usually mosquitoes). Of the thirty known species, eight are important human pathogens (e.g. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus), while one, salmonid alphavirus, is of economic importance to the farmed fish industry. Due to their small size, alphaviruses have historically been utilized as model systems for the analysis of viral pathogenesis. Understanding alphavirus molecular biology, pathogenesis, and host interactions are key areas of research that have applications, not only in disease prevention, but also in permitting the exploitation of certain alphaviruses, e.g. Semliki Forest virus, as efficient gene therapy and/or vaccine delivery vehicles. As the first to focus exclusively on alphaviruses, this timely book serves as an invaluable resource for researchers and clinicians working with alphaviruses and related viruses. It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in alphavirus research. Written by a team of prominent scientists, the main focus is on the pathogenesis and host interactions. The topics covered include: genome structure and replication * viral evolution * laboratory diagnosis and detection * interaction with the interferon system * antiviral responses in mosquitoes * animal models of alphavirus-induced inflammatory disease * clinical manifestations of arthritogenic alphaviruses * encephalitic alphaviruses * the application of alphavirus vectors for gene therapy * chikungunya virus pathogenesis and the development of control strategies. [Subject: Molecular Biology, Life Science]