Parvovirus

Parvovirus is the common name applied to all the viruses in the Parvoviridae taxonomic family. The Parvoviridae family has two subfamilies; the Parvovirinae (vertebrate viruses) and the Densovirinae (invertebrate viruses). Different examples can be given for the subfamily Parvovirinae but the most common is Dependovirus, which only work with a helper virus such as adenovirus. Other viruses that can infect without helper viruses are called as autonomous parvoviruses.

Parvovirus is the common name applied to all the viruses in the Parvoviridae taxonomic family, although it can also be used specifically for members of one of the two Parvoviridae subfamilies, the Parvovirinae, which infect vertebrate hosts. Parvoviruses are linear, nonsegmented, single-stranded DNA viruses, with an average genome size of 5-6 kb. Parvoviruses can cause disease in some animals, including starfish and humans. Because most of these viruses require actively dividing cells to replicate, the type of tissue infected varies with the age of the animal. Currently, no vaccine exists to prevent infection by all parvoviruses, but recently, the virus's capsid proteins, which are noninfectious molecules, have been suggested acting as antigens for improving of vaccines. Antivirals and human immunoglobulin-sourced treatments are usually for relief of symptoms. Using immunoglobulins is a logical solution for treatment as neutralizing antibodies because a majority of adults have been in danger from the parvoviruses, especially B19 virus.