Virus

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. Viruses infect all types of organisms: from animals and plants, to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, more than 5,000 types of virus have been described in detail, although most types of virus remain undiscovered. Viruses are ubiquitous, as they are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth, and are the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet. The study of viruses is known as virology, and is a branch of microbiology.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of another organism.

What is the Difference Between Bacteria and Viruses?

Virus History

Virus Origins

Virus Microbiology

Virus Classification

Virus Infection in Other Species

Human Diseases Caused by Viruses

Virus Uses in Virology

Virus Purification Methods

What are Filoviruses?

Antiviral Immunity and COVID-19

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What is Vertical Transmission?

What is a Viral Mutation?

What are Viral Clades?

Are Viruses a Lifeform?

What Are Giant Viruses?

Virus Eradication, Extinction, and Elimination Explained

Latest Virus News and Research

New vaccine technology provides protection against broad range of coronaviruses in mice

Researchers have developed a new vaccine technology that has been shown in mice to provide protection against a broad range of coronaviruses with potential for future disease outbreaks - including ones we don't even know about.

6 May 2024

CRISPR gene editing shows promise for treating individuals with a form of inherited blindness

Results from a groundbreaking clinical trial of CRISPR gene editing in 14 individuals with a form of inherited blindness show that the treatment is safe and led to measurable improvements in 11 of the participants treated.

6 May 2024

New influenza vaccine strategies aim to enhance protection with T-cell responses

A recent review highlights the need for innovative influenza vaccines that combine T-cell and antibody responses to enhance protection across multiple strains and seasons.

6 May 2024

Differences in leading causes of disease burden between males and females

A recent study reveals that males bear a higher disease burden overall, while females experience a higher burden from seven specific conditions, emphasizing the need for tailored health interventions.

5 May 2024

Long-term impact of COVID-19 on body composition explored

COVID-19 may also affect body composition, even in those who did not acquire the infection.

5 May 2024

Novel vaccine approach targets AML and other blood cancers

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that forms in the soft marrow of the bones, typically attacking cells that would otherwise form the key component of the body's immunodefense system, white blood cells.

3 May 2024

Rotavirus vaccine in NICUs does not lead to outbreaks, study shows

Rotavirus vaccines do not cause significant outbreaks of the disease in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), according to a new national study.

3 May 2024

Breakthrough study identifies potential treatments for influenza-associated encephalopathy

It might start simply, with a cough or sneeze…but in some cases, the flu virus can make its way to your brain, causing serious symptoms or even death through a disease known as influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE).

3 May 2024

Bird flu is bad for poultry and dairy cows. It’s not a dire threat for most of us — yet.

Headlines are flying after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows around the country.

3 May 2024

Inflammatory disease not major risk factors for severe COVID-19, focus on comorbidities urged

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).

3 May 2024

Bird flu detected in cow's milk: Insights from an infectious disease expert

In light of the United States Food and Drug Administration's announcement that bird flu has been discovered in cow's milk, board-certified infectious disease physician Carl Abraham, M.D., assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), shares insights on what the general public should know.

2 May 2024

New vaccine approach shows promise in targeting less variable region of influenza virus

Duke researchers have opened a new avenue in the attack against influenza viruses by creating a vaccine that encourages the immune system to target a portion of the virus surface that is less variable.

2 May 2024

WHO overturns dogma on airborne disease spread. The CDC might not act on it.

The World Health Organization has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like covid-19, influenza, and measles.

1 May 2024

Avian flu crosses species, infecting cats and cattle in Texas and Kansas

A study in the CDC's Emerging Infectious Disease Journal reports the spread of H5N1 avian influenza among cats and dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas, showing systemic illness in cattle and significant fatalities in cats exposed to the virus through infected milk.

1 May 2024

Electric pulses boost gene therapy uptake in liver cells

In an effort to improve delivery of costly medical treatments, a team of researchers in electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has developed a stimulating method that could make the human body more receptive to certain gene therapies.

30 Apr 2024

Study shows continued willingness to get vaccinated across 23 countries

A substantial proportion of the world's population remains willing to get vaccinated against diseases including COVID-19, according to a new survey across 23 countries that represent more than 60% of the world's population.

30 Apr 2024

Updated vaccine provides strong immune response against previous and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

New research using live SARS-CoV-2 virus reveals an updated vaccine provides a strong immune response against previous strains and emerging variants.

29 Apr 2024

New SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variant defies vaccines with higher spread, study warns

Study on the bioRxiv server reports that the SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variant, despite lower infectivity, shows significant immune resistance and higher transmissibility compared to other variants, potentially impacting global public health and vaccine efficacy.

29 Apr 2024

New Kaposi sarcoma mouse model could be key to drug development

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, after decades of research efforts, have developed a mouse model of Kaposi sarcoma that could be key to the development of new drugs to treat the disease.

29 Apr 2024