[Persistent virus infections--mechanisms and consequences].
The establishment of persistent virus infections can be regarded as evolutionary mechanisms to protect viruses against the host immune reactions and to enable the perpetuation of virus infections. In principle, persistent or latent virus infections are known among most species of all virus families. Among the different strategies which envolved during virus infections, three mechanisms leading to persistent or latent infections are chosen and discussed in greater detail in this review: Masking of critical epitopes and apparent lack of neutralizing antibody by Aleutian Disease Parvovirus, Integration of viral genome by retroviruses and spongiform encephalopathies caused by unconventional agents/viruses, such as BSE and scrapie.
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Infektions- und Seuchenmedizin, Tierärztliche Fakultät, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
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Kaaden
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000503:physiopathology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000635:transmission; D016662:Virus Integration