Within host RNA virus persistence: mechanisms and consequences.
In a prototypical response to an acute viral infection it would be expected that the adaptive immune response would eliminate all virally infected cells within a few weeks of infection. However many (non-retrovirus) RNA viruses can establish 'within host' persistent infections that occasionally lead to chronic or reactivated disease. Despite the importance of 'within host' persistent RNA virus infections, much has still to be learnt about the molecular mechanisms by which RNA viruses establish persistent infections, why innate and adaptive immune responses fail to rapidly clear these infections, and the epidemiological and potential disease consequences of such infections.
School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: rer@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Richard E
RE
Randall
W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Diane E
DE
Griffin
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D017735:Virus Latency