Volume 15, Number 12—December 2009
Etymologia
Calicivirus
[kә-lis′ ǐ-vi′′rәs]
On This Page
Downloads
Article Metrics
The name of these members of the Caliciviridae family of nonenveloped RNA viruses reflects their structure. They are icosahedral with 32 typical surface depressions that are sometimes described as hollows or cups (from Latin calyx, meaning cup). Feline calicivirus, a member of the genus Vesivirus, causes respiratory disease in cats. Members of other genera, Norovirus and Sapovirus, cause gastrointestinal disease in humans.
Sources: Mahy BWJ. The dictionary of virology, 4th edition. London: Elsevier; 2009; Dorland’s illustrated medical dictionary, 31st edition. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2007.
Related Links
Table of Contents – Volume 15, Number 12—December 2009
Page created: December 09, 2010
Page updated: December 09, 2010
Page reviewed: December 09, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.