The BVD Virus

Aufbau

 

[1] Spikes

[2] Envelope

[3] Capsid

[4] Genome

Taxonomy

The BVD virus belongs to the family of Flaviviridae. The name "Flavivirus" is derived from the Yellow Fever virus (flavus = lat. yellow). Within the Flaviviridae, the genera Flavivirus, Pestivirus and Hepacivirus are distinguished. BVDV as well as Classical Swine Fever virus and Border Disease virus are part of the pestivirus genus. Representatives as important as the yellow fever virus, the Japanese Encephalitis virus or the West Nile virus belong to the genus Flavivirus. The genus Hepacivirus consists of the Hepatitis C virus and a number of less well defined HCV-like viruses.

Morphology and physicochemical Properties

Pestiviruses have a diameter of 40 - 60 nanometres and are therefore among the smaller viruses. They show an icosahedral capsid structure (consisting of one single capsid protein) and are enclosed by an envelope (3 virus coded membrane proteins). As such, they can be inactivated by all common disinfectants. Their tenacity is low: at 37°C they loose infectivity after approx. 4 days, at 56°C after approx. 45 minutes.