Subfamily: Alphaherpesvirinae
Genus: Iltovirus
Distinguishing features
The predicted amino acid sequences of members form a distinct lineage within the subfamily (Figure 1. . Alphaherpesvirinae).
Virion
See discussion under family description.
Genome organization and replication
Eight of the protein-coding regions predicted in the genome of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV in the species Iltovirus gallidalpha1) are unique to members of the genus. Other unusual characteristics of the ILTV genome are the translocation of gene UL47, which is located in UL in the members of other genera in the subfamily, to US, and the inversion of a sizeable part of UL containing genes UL22–UL44.
Biology
Members have birds as hosts, including galliforms (i.e. ground-feeding birds such as turkeys, chickens and quail) and psittacids (i.e. parrots). ILTV is highly contagious in chickens and causes significant economic losses in egg-laying flocks.
Species demarcation criteria
See discussion under family description.