DESCRIPTION OF VIRUSES

Family Paramyxoviridae

Genus Metapneumovirus

Genus Metapneumovirus

Type Species

Turkey rhinotracheitis virus

(TRTV)

Distinguishing Features

The relative placements of SH-G versus F-M2 in the gene order are reversed as compared to pneumoviruses. No NS1 and NS2 genes as found in pneumoviruses. Virions do not appear to contain a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase.

List of Species Demarcation Criteria in the Genus

Not applicable.

List of Species in the Genus

Official virus species names are in italics. Tentative virus species names, alternative names ( ), strains or serotypes are not italicized. Virus names, genome sequence accession numbers [ ], and assigned abbreviation ( ) are:

Species in the Genus

Turkey rhinotracheitis virus (Avian pneumovirus)

[U22110, U65312, Y14294, U39295, U37586, L34032, S40185]

(TRTV)

Tentative Species in the Genus

None reported.

Unassigned Viruses in the Family

In addition to two recognized viruses, namely Fer-de-Lance virus of reptiles (FDLV), and the rodent Nariva virus (NARV), several viruses from penguins are known which are distinct from Avian paramyxoviruses 1-9. Furthermore, Hendra virus appears to be related to the subfamily Paramyxovirinae (cognate F, H, M, H and P/V/C genes) was isolated from fruitbats and from horses in Queensland, Australia. On two known occasions the horse virus has caused lethal infection of man.

Phylogenetic Relationships within the Family

The literature on the relationships of members of the Paramyxovirinae is consistent with the phylogeny (Fig. 3).

Similarity with Other Taxa

The member viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae have a similar strategy of gene expression and replication and gene order to those of other families in the order Mononegavirales, that is the families Rhabdoviridae and Filoviridae.

Derivation of Names

Meta: from Greek meta for “after”

Morbilli: from Latin morbillus, diminutive of morbus, “disease”.

Ortho: from Greek orthos “straight”.

Paramyxo: from Greek para, “by the side of”, and myxa “mucus”.

Pneumo: from Greek pneuma, “breath”.

Respiro: from Latin respirare, “respire, breath”.

Rubula: Rubula inflans - old name for mumps.


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