Parvovirus

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Parvovirus genus
Virus classification
Group: Group II (ssDNA) Family: Parvoviridae Genus: Parvovirus Species: Canine parvovirus 2

Parvovirus is a genus of the family Parvoviridae. Parvoviruses causes disease in animals, but not humans. Parvovirus B19, which causes various diseases in humans, is a member of the Erythrovirus genus of Parvoviridae rather than Parvovirus.

In canines

Parvovirus is highly contagious, airborne and deadly; it can run through kennels very quickly, causing an agonizing death for domestic dogs. It can lie dormant on the ground for long periods of time, and can be picked up on one's shoes.

Prevention

Vaccination against parvovirus is standard and required in Australia. Some veterinary professionals routinely disinfect or change shoes when leaving the surgery and before getting into their vehicles or stepping onto their property.

When parvovirus has already been contracted by animals on one's property, dusting and washing surfaces with lime has been shown to be effective.

Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use Tree of Life link to find]

Species

Genus species

Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Infectious virions of canine parvovirus contain 60 protein subunits that are predominantly VP-2. The central structural motif of VP-2 has the same topology (an eight-stranded antiparallel beta barrel) as has been found in many other icosahedral viruses but represents only about one-third of the capsid protein. There is a 22 angstrom (A) long protrusion on the threefold axes, a 15 A deep canyon circulating about each of the five cylindrical structures at the fivefold axes, and a 15 A deep depression at the twofold axes. By analogy with rhinoviruses, the canyon may be the site of receptor attachment. Residues related to the antigenic properties of the virus are found on the threefold protrusions. Some of the amino termini of VP-2 run to the exterior in full but not empty virions, which is consistent with the observation that some VP-2 polypeptides in full particles can be cleaved by trypsin. Eleven nucleotides are seen in each of 60 symmetry-related pockets on the interior surface of the capsid and together account for 13 percent of the genome.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

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References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

J Tsao, MS Chapman, M Agbandje, W Keller, K Smith, H Wu, M Luo, TJ Smith, MG Rossmann, RW Compans, and al. et "The three-dimensional structure of canine parvovirus and its functional implications ". Science. 1991. Vol 251. Issue 5000. p. 1456-1464.