Host range, host specificity and hypothesized host shift events among viruses of lower vertebrates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The successful replication of a viral agent in a host is a complex process that often leads to a species specificity of the virus and can make interspecies transmission difficult. Despite this difficulty, natural host switch seems to have been frequent among viru...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bandín Isabel, Dopazo Carlos P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-05-01
Series:Veterinary Research
Online Access:http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/42/1/67
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>The successful replication of a viral agent in a host is a complex process that often leads to a species specificity of the virus and can make interspecies transmission difficult. Despite this difficulty, natural host switch seems to have been frequent among viruses of lower vertebrates, especially fish viruses, since there are several viruses known to be able to infect a wide range of species. In the present review we will focus on well documented reports of broad host range, variations in host specificity, and host shift events hypothesized for viruses within the genera <it>Ranavirus</it>, <it>Novirhabdovirus</it>, <it>Betanodavirus</it>, <it>Isavirus</it>, and some herpesvirus.</p>
ISSN:0928-4249
1297-9716