Foamy Viruses

The aberrant replication pathway of foamy viruses distinguishes them from all other retroviruses. Many details have been accumulated over the past ten or so years. Most of the findings on foamy viruses were obtained by research on a single virus isolate previously called "human foamy virus", which appeared to be the first to be investigated on a molecular level. However, to the editor's knowledge, genuine human foamy viruses do not exist, but several trans-species transmissions of different simian foamy viruses from monkeys and apes to human hosts.

From the reviews:

"Described as 'Cinderallas' on the cover, Axel Rethwilm may be cast as the fairy godmother bringing this virus family to the ball, assisted by a talented, albeit nearly exclusively German, cast of authors. They are fascinating viruses . This small volume is excellent. An introductory chapter by Rethwilm summarizes all that most virologists need to know about them, followed by five chapters focusing on individual stages of the life cycle. An essential book for those studying them and good reading for the rest." (Andrew M. L. Lever, Microbiology Today, Vol. 31, 2004)

Contenu
The Replication Strategy of Foamy Viruses.- Foamy Virus Transactivation and Gene Expression.- Proteolytic Processing of Foamy Virus Gag and Pol Proteins.- Particle Assembly and Genome Packaging.- The Foamy Virus Envelope Glycoproteins.- Foamy Virus Vectors.- Replication of Primate Foamy Viruses in Natural and Experimental Hosts.- Human Infection With Foamy Viruses.- Non-Primate Foamy Viruses.