Encephalomyocarditis virus

Description and Significance

Encephalomyocarditis Virus (EMCV)is a member of the genus Cardiovirus of the family Picornaviridae. It's said that the Picornavirusinfects many animal species, including pigs, rodents, cattle, elephants, raccoons, marsupials, and primate such as baboons, monkeys, chimpanzees, as well as humans. There are two types of Encephalomyocarditis Virus. One is Encephalomyocarditis Virus type A, which causes reproductive problems. The other one is Encephalolmyocarditis Virus type B, which causes heart failure in pigs. African elephants were the first species that were infected with the virus. The first outbreak ever seen was in South Africa in 1993. Between December 1993 and August 1994, a number of acute deaths occurred in free-ranging African Elephants in the Kruger National Park KNP.

Genome and Structure

The main host of Encephalomycarditis Virus (EMVC) are the rat and mouse. The virus is passed through fecal-oral transmission. This was discovers after a large population explosion in rodents was documented during a period of time in which a large amount of elephants were dying. Encephalomyocarditis Virus (EMCV) attacks many animals, but pigs have been studied and are said to be the most susceptible species. This virus causes acute myocarditis and sudden death in preweaned pigs, whereas trans placental infections of sows cause fetal mummification, abortion, still birth, and neonatal death.

References

Aravindan, V., Vickraman, P. 2007. A novel gel electrolyt with lithium difluoro (