Paramyxoviruses
, Important properties
• Virion: helical nucleocapsid
• Genome: Single-stranded RNA, not segmented
• Envelope: present, contains surface spikes as
hemagglutinin, neuraminidase or fusion protein which
causes cell fusion, and in some cases, hemolysis
• The paramyxovirus family contains four important
human pathogens: measles virus, mumps virus,
respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza viruses.
,
, Table: Difference between orthomyxovirus and paramyxoviruses
Property Orthomyxoviruses Paramyxoviruses
Viruses Influenza A, B, C Measles, mumps, respiratory
syncytial virus ,parainfluenza
virus
Genome Segmented (eight pieces) Non Segmented single
single stranded RNA stranded RNA
Size Smaller (120 nm) Larger (150 nm)
Surface spikes Hemagglutinin and Hemagglutinin and
neuraminidase on different neuraminidase on same spike
spikes
Transcription of viral Host cell nucleus Host cell cytoplasm
RNA
Giant cell formation No Yes
Genetic reassortment Frequent Rare
, Important properties
• Virion: helical nucleocapsid
• Genome: Single-stranded RNA, not segmented
• Envelope: present, contains surface spikes as
hemagglutinin, neuraminidase or fusion protein which
causes cell fusion, and in some cases, hemolysis
• The paramyxovirus family contains four important
human pathogens: measles virus, mumps virus,
respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza viruses.
,
, Table: Difference between orthomyxovirus and paramyxoviruses
Property Orthomyxoviruses Paramyxoviruses
Viruses Influenza A, B, C Measles, mumps, respiratory
syncytial virus ,parainfluenza
virus
Genome Segmented (eight pieces) Non Segmented single
single stranded RNA stranded RNA
Size Smaller (120 nm) Larger (150 nm)
Surface spikes Hemagglutinin and Hemagglutinin and
neuraminidase on different neuraminidase on same spike
spikes
Transcription of viral Host cell nucleus Host cell cytoplasm
RNA
Giant cell formation No Yes
Genetic reassortment Frequent Rare
