Genetic manipulation of reovirus--a model for modification of disease.

Abstract

VIRAL agents are usually thought of as infectious units that cause acute illness. Recently, however, it has become clear that certain types of viruses are associated with delayed and persistent illness. This relation is best documented for a variety of progressive Central-nervous-system illnesses, including Kuru,1 Creutzfeld–Jakob disease,2 subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)3 and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.4 In all these conditions a viral etiology has Abbreviations Used dsRNA: double-stranded RNA mRNA: messenger RNA PFU: plaque-forming unit SSPE: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis ssRNA: single-stranded RNA been strongly indicated. Of particular interest is the isolation of a measles-like virus from the brains of patients with . . .