birnaviruses
Birnaviruses are a family of non-enveloped RNA viruses that infect a wide range of hosts, including birds, fish, and insects. The family name, Birnaviridae, is derived from "BIRNA," which stands for "Bird RNA virus." These viruses possess a unique genome structure, consisting of two segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This dsRNA genome is characteristic of the family and plays a crucial role in their replication cycle.
The virion of a birnavirus is typically icosahedral in shape, with a diameter of approximately 50-70 nanometers.
In birds, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), an avibirnavirus, is a significant pathogen causing significant economic