Pegiviruses

Pegiviruses are a genus of small, non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Iflaviridae. They are primarily insect viruses, with some also known to infect other arthropods. The name "Pegivirus" is derived from "Pestivirus-like viruses," highlighting their structural and genetic similarities to pestiviruses, a genus within the Flaviviridae family, though they are not closely related.

Pegiviruses are characterized by their positive-sense RNA genomes, which are approximately 10 kilobases in length. The genome encodes a single large open reading frame that is proteolytically cleaved into several functional proteins, including structural proteins and non-structural proteins involved in viral replication. Their small size and lack of an envelope contribute to their stability in the environment.

These viruses are typically transmitted horizontally through contact with infected individuals or contaminated environments. While many pegiviruses are considered asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms in their natural hosts, some have been associated with chronic infections and significant economic losses in certain insect populations, particularly those relevant to agriculture or pest control. Research into pegiviruses is ongoing to better understand their transmission, pathogenesis, and potential impact on host populations. Their phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history are also subjects of ongoing investigation.