Human T-lymphotropic virus

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Viral Group: Group IV (ssRNA-RT)

Family: Retroviridae

Genus: Deltaretrovirus

Species: Simian T-lymphotropic virus

Species

Deltaretrovirus Simian T-lymphotropic virus

Description and significance

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Human T-lymphotropic virus was first discovered in Japan in 1977 as the first human retrovirus to be identified as such. It is thought to be the disease causing agent in several ailments. Paraparesis is one disease thought to be caused by the virus where an individual's lower extremities are impaired. The virus is also thought to be an oncovirus, a cancer causing viral agent. Leukemia, a cancer of bone marrow or blood cells, has been linked to T-lymphotropic virus.

Genome structure

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Cell structure and metabolism

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Ecology

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Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

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Current Research

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References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_T-lymphotropic_virus

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