Epitopilloviruses

Epitopilloviruses are a group of viruses that infect the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. They are named for their characteristic "pillow-like" appearance when viewed under an electron microscope. Epitopilloviruses are enveloped viruses with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. They belong to the family Picornaviridae, which also includes the human enteroviruses and rhinoviruses.

Epitopilloviruses are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans and animals. In humans, they can cause mild to severe respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes. In animals, epitopilloviruses can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as reproductive problems. The most well-known epitopillovirus is the human enterovirus 71 (EV71), which has been associated with severe neurological complications, including hand, foot, and mouth disease and acute flaccid myelitis.

Epitopilloviruses are transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. They can also be spread through respiratory droplets and fecal-oral routes. The diagnosis of epitopillovirus infections is typically made through molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). There is no specific antiviral treatment for epitopillovirus infections, and management focuses on supportive care. Vaccines are not currently available for epitopilloviruses.