VACCINIA VIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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Vaccinia virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. It is an enveloped virus with a brick-shaped structure and is the virus used in the smallpox vaccine, known as vaccinia. The virus is a member of the Poxviridae family and is similar in structure to other orthopoxviruses, such as variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) and cowpox virus.
Vaccinia virus has a broad host range and can infect several mammalian species, including humans. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the virus, usually through broken skin. The virus enters host cells and replicates within their cytoplasm. It produces a wide range of proteins that participate in various stages of its life cycle, including host immune evasion, viral replication, and assembly of new virus particles.
The most significant use of vaccinia virus is in the smallpox vaccine, where its ability to prompt an immune response in the body without causing the disease itself has made it an effective tool for smallpox eradication. The vaccine is administered by a technique known as scarification, which involves scratching the skin and applying the virus to the scratch. The immune response generated by vaccinia virus provides protection against smallpox and has facilitated the successful global eradication of the disease.
Overall, vaccinia virus is a key tool in public health due to its use in the prevention of smallpox, and its study continues to contribute to our understanding of poxvirus biology and immunology.
Common Misspellings for VACCINIA VIRUS
- caccinia virus
- baccinia virus
- gaccinia virus
- faccinia virus
- vzccinia virus
- vsccinia virus
- vwccinia virus
- vqccinia virus
- vaxcinia virus
- vavcinia virus
- vafcinia virus
- vadcinia virus
- vacxinia virus
- vacvinia virus
- vacfinia virus
- vacdinia virus
- vaccunia virus
- vaccjnia virus
- vaccknia virus
- vacconia virus
Etymology of VACCINIA VIRUS
The etymology of the word "Vaccinia virus" can be traced back to the Latin word "vacca", which means "cow". The name "vaccinia" was coined because the virus was first discovered in cows. It is closely related to the Latin word "vaccinum", which refers to a cowpox virus. The term "vaccination" also evolved from the same Latin root, as the practice of using cowpox to provide immunity against smallpox was developed by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century.
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