ICTV Report

Subfamily: Variarterivirinae

Genus: Betaarterivirus

 

Distinguishing features

Betaarteriviruses infect pigs

Virion

See discussion under family description. 

Genome organization and replication

Besides the canonical transcription regulating sequence (TRS, see family “Genome organisation and replication” section), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 (PRRSV-2) has been shown to produce aberrant viral subgenomic RNAs termed heteroclites (uncommon forms). Heteroclites are formed between the 5′- and 3′-termini of PRRSV-2 at short stretches of identity (as little as 2 nucleotides) and with variability seen between the junction sites utilized. 

See discussion under family description. 

Biology

See discussion under family description. 

Derivation of names

Subgenus Ampobartevirus: from the virus host American porcine and the genus name

Species Betaarterivirus suid 2: from the genus name and suid, the hoofed mammalian host of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 (PRRSV-2)

Subgenus Chibartevirus: from Chinese rat arterivirus 1 and the genus name Betaarterivirus

Betaarterivirus chinrav 1: from the genus name and China where this virus was isolated from rats (RtMrufAV)

Betaarterivirus ninrav: from the genus name and virus isolation in Ningxia, China of a rat arterivirus in 2015 (RtClonAV)

Betaarterivirus sheoin: from the genus name and virus isolation in Shanxi, China from the rodent Eothenomys inez (RtEiAV)  

Subgenus Eurpobartevirus: from the virus host European porcine and the genus name Betaarterivirus

Species Betaarterivirus suid 1: from the genus name, suid, the hoofed mammalian host of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 1 (PRRSV-1)

Subgenus Mibartevirus: from Microtus, the host from which viruses of the genus Betaarterivirus were isolated

Species Betaarterivirus timiclar: the genus name, and the location (Tibet) and host (Microtus clarkei) of the virus isolate RtMc arterivirus (RtMcAV)

Species demarcation criteria

See “Subfamily, genus and species demarcation criteria” section on the family for species demarcation criteria which are universal for all subfamilies.