Paramyxoviridae

Definition

Paramyxoviridae is a family of viruses known for their single-stranded RNA genomes and enveloped structure. This family includes significant human pathogens, such as the measles virus and mumps virus, that can cause severe diseases. Their unique features, including their mode of transmission and ability to cause syncytia formation in infected cells, distinguish them from other virus families.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Paramyxoviridae viruses are known for their helical nucleocapsid structure, which protects their RNA genome.
2. The family includes important viruses responsible for respiratory infections, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which primarily affects infants and young children.
3. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus, which can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis and pneumonia.
4. Paramyxoviridae can spread through respiratory droplets, making close contact an important factor in transmission.
5. Vaccines are available for several diseases caused by paramyxoviruses, notably the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.

Review Questions

• How do paramyxoviruses differ from other virus families in terms of structure and transmission?
  • Paramyxoviruses are characterized by their enveloped structure and single-stranded RNA genomes, which sets them apart from many other virus families. The enveloped nature allows them to fuse with host cells more effectively, leading to unique transmission methods primarily through respiratory droplets. This mode of transmission makes diseases caused by paramyxoviruses, like measles and mumps, highly contagious.
• Discuss the role of syncytium formation in infections caused by paramyxoviruses and its implications for disease severity.
  • Syncytium formation occurs when paramyxoviruses induce the fusion of infected cells with neighboring cells, creating multinucleated giant cells. This process can lead to extensive tissue damage and increased viral spread within the host. The presence of syncytia is often associated with more severe disease outcomes in infections such as those caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), impacting the patient's respiratory function significantly.
• Evaluate the impact of vaccination on controlling diseases caused by paramyxoviridae and its significance for public health.
  • Vaccination against diseases caused by paramyxoviridae has played a crucial role in controlling outbreaks and protecting public health. Vaccines such as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) have drastically reduced incidence rates of these infections. The success of vaccination programs demonstrates the importance of herd immunity in preventing the spread of highly contagious viruses like measles. Continued vaccination efforts are vital in combating these diseases, particularly as vaccine hesitancy presents challenges to public health initiatives.

Related terms

Syncytium: A multinucleated giant cell formed by the fusion of individual cells, often seen in infections caused by paramyxoviruses.

Enveloped Virus: A type of virus that is surrounded by a lipid membrane derived from the host cell, which helps the virus evade the immune system.

RNA Virus:

A virus that has ribonucleic acid (RNA) as its genetic material, which can be single-stranded or double-stranded.