Today we are talking about hepatoviruses!
Hepatoviruses are small (30nm diameter), non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses carrying an RNA genome (7.5kb). The capsid is made of 60 multimers made up of 3 viral proteins (VP1, VP2, and VP3). VP4, a fourth viral protein, is not incorporated into the outer surface multimeter.
A viral infection with a hepatovirus can lead to hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, fatigue, nausea, dark urine, etc.
There are nine recognized species, Hep A through Hep I, with A being the most common. Hepatitis A, transmitted fecal-orally, is always an acute, short-term disease.
While there are no direct treatments for HepA there is a vaccination available.
*edited for mistake regarding Hep B and Hep C! I incorrectly stated that these were caused by Hepatovirus B and Hepatovirus C but, that, while inuitive, is inaccurate. They are caused by viruses in different families! Thank you to a commenter for catching my error.
Posted on Instagram on May 12, 2021.