Virology and Microbiology

Hepatitis C viruses and Neurotropic viruses

The hepatitis C virus particle consists of a core of genetic material (RNA) enclosed by an icosahedral protective shell of protein, and further covered in a lipid envelope of cellular origin. The p7 protein is nonessential for viral genome replication but plays a critical role in virus morphogenesis. Neurotropic viruses are said to be Neuroinvasive if it is capable of entering the nervous system and Neurovirulent if it is capable of causing disease within the nervous system. Neurotropic viruses have been reported to lead to various neurodegenerative diseases