| viral envelope | The outer structure that encloses the nucleocapsids of some viruses; may contain host material. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| viral envelope proteins | Layers of protein which surround the capsid in animal viruses with tubular nucleocapsids. The envelope consists of an inner layer of lipids and virus specified proteins also called membrane or matrix proteins. The outer layer consists of one or more types of morphological subunits called peplomers which project from the viral envelope; this layer always consists of glycoproteins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| viral fusion proteins | Proteins, usually glycoproteins, found in the viral envelopes of a variety of viruses. They promote cell membrane fusion and thereby may function in the uptake of the virus by cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| viral gastroenteritis | <pathology> An inflammatory condition of the intestines that results from an infection with a virus. Rotavirus is a common cause. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting are common symptoms. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral haemagglutination | The nonimmune agglutination of suspended red blood cells by certain of a wide range of otherwise unrelated viruses, usually by the virion itself but in some instances by products of viral growth, the species of erythrocyte agglutinated differing with the different viruses. See: haemagglutination inhibition. (05 Mar 2000) |
| viral haemorrhagic fever | An epidemic viral illness seen in southern Sudan and Zaire, caused by the Ebola virus. The illness is characterised by fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting, epistaxis, haemoptysis, haematemesis, rash, tremors and subconjunctival haemorrhages. Transmitted by close bodily contact with infected individuals (blood, faeces and body fluids). Incubation is-21 days with initial symptoms of fever and headache. There is no specific treatment and death can occur within 10 days. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral haemorrhagic fever virus | <virology> An epidemic viral illness seen in southern Sudan and Zaire, caused by the Ebola virus. The illness is characterised by fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting, epistaxis, haemoptysis, haematemesis, rash, tremors and subconjunctival haemorrhages. Transmitted by close bodily contact with infected individuals (blood, faeces and body fluids). Incubation is-21 days with initial symptoms of fever and headache. There is no specific treatment and death can occur within 10 days. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral infection | The successful invasion, establishment and growth of viruses in the tissues of the host. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral interference | A phenomenon in which infection by a first virus results in resistance of cells or tissues to infection by a second, unrelated virus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| viral load | The number of viral particles (usually HIV) in a sample of blood plasma. HIV viral load is increasingly employed as a surrogate marker for disease progression. It is measured by PCR and bDNA tests and is expressed in number of HIV copies or equivalents per millilitre. (09 Oct 1997) |
| viral matrix proteins | Proteins associated with the inner surface of the lipid bilayer of the viral envelope. These proteins have been implicated in control of viral transcription and may possibly serve as the "glue" that binds the nucleocapsid to the appropriate membrane site during viral budding from the host cell. (12 Dec 1998) |
| viral meningitis | <pathology> A viral form of infection that is seen most often in those under 30 years of age. Peak time for infection is in late summer. Majority of cases are caused by the Coxsackie and echovirus. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral myocarditis | <cardiology, virology> Inflammation of the heart muscle that is caused by an infection with a virus. Coxsackie B is most common in the U.S.A., but Coxsackie A, influenza, rubeola, rubella, Adenovirus, HIV and echovirus can all cause myocarditis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viral nonstructural proteins | Viral proteins that are coded by nonstructural genes and usually have an unknown function. Some of these proteins may play structural roles within the infected cell during replication or act in virus regulation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| viral oncogene | <molecular biology> A viral gene that contributes to cancer development in vertebrate hosts. (09 Oct 1997) |