Arenavirus

Arenavirus is a genus of virus. The type species is Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); it also includes the species responsible for Lassa fever.

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Arena comes from the Latin root meaning sand.

Arenaviruses can be divided into two serogroups, which differ genetically and by geographical distribution:

• LCMV-Lassa virus (Old World) complex:
  • Ippy virus
  • Lassa virus
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
  • Mobala virus
  • Mopeia virus

• Tacaribe virus (New World) complex:
  • Amapari virus
  • Flexal virus
  • Guanarito virus
  • Junin virus
  • Latino virus
  • Machupo virus
  • Oliveros virus
  • Paraná virus
  • Pichinde virus
  • Pirital virus
  • Sabiá virus
  • Tacaribe virus
  • Tamiami virus
  • Whitewater Arroyo virus

Some arenaviruses are zoonotic pathogens and are generally associated with rodent-transmitted disease in humans. Each virus usually is associated with a particular rodent host species in which it is maintained. The virus particles are spherical and have an average diameter of 110-130 nanometers. All are enveloped in a lipid membrane. Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells. It is this characteristic that gave them their name, derived from the Latin "arena," which means "sandy." Their genome, or genetic material, is composed of RNA only, and while their replication strategy is not completely understood, we know that new viral particles, called virions, are created by budding from the surface of their hosts’ cells.