Viruses: the basics

Mohammad Y. Halami; Kristin Heenemann; Daniel Hoffmann; Thomas W. Vahlenkamp

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Viruses: the basics

In: Food borne viruses and prions and their significance for public health

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Mohammad Y. Halami

Mohammad Y. Halami
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Kristin Heenemann

Kristin Heenemann
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Daniel Hoffmann

Daniel Hoffmann
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Thomas W. Vahlenkamp

Thomas W. Vahlenkamp
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 17–36

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-780-6_01

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Viruses were already described 2,400 years ago. They are strict intracellular pathogens devoid of an own replication machinery and therefore only able to replicate within a living host cell. The classification of viruses is nowadays based mainly on their genome which consists of either RNA or DNA. Virus transmission can occur by the respiratory, faecal-oral and other routes. With regard to foodborne infection one can distinguish: (a) virus infections that cause gastroenteritis; (b) virus infections that are enterically transmitted and cause hepatitis; and (c) virus infections that replicate in the human intestine but cause subsequent illness after they have been migrated to other organs, such as the central nervous system or the liver. Due to new, automated technologies e.g. real-time PCR, the detection of viruses can be achieved in short time. This is necessary in response to demands of global trade and travel. The results, however, lack information about the infectivity of possibly detected viruses. Basic knowledge of virus characteristics, viral replication, transmission, viral pathogenesis including virus excretion pattern and virus diagnostic methods are necessary to draw firm conclusions and to estimate potential risks. Due to the limitations of single diagnostic methods it is necessary to combine the advantages of several methods to gain a satisfying sensitivity and to improve food safety.

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Food borne viruses and prions and their significance for public health

Series: ECVPH Food safety assurance, Volume: 6

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086867806

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 01 Oct 2013

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- Life Sciences

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Viruses: the basics

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Food borne viruses and prions and their significance for public health

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