The genus Mardivirus (formerly Marek's disease-like viruses ) currently comprises three herpes viruses in chickens . The genus is named after the species previously known as Mar ek's di sease virus , whose two serotypes at that time are classified as two different species in the new genus ( Gallides Herpesvirus 2 and 3 ). The Gallides herpesvirus 2 is the causative agent of Marek's disease in chickens. All other members of the genus do not cause any disease and are therefore non- pathogenic in animals .
The linear, double-stranded DNA - genome of Mardi viruses is about 180,000 base pairs in size and has a GC content of about 47%. At its ends, it consists of identical, repetitive sequences that also occur in an inverted form within the genome. The enveloped virus particle (virion) has a round, irregular shape with a diameter of 120 to 200 nm. The 100 to 110 nm icosahedral capsid consists of 162 capsomeres with a triangulation number of 16 (T = 16). The spindle-shaped wound DNA is packaged in several identical copies in the virion, the ends of which are fixed to the inside of the capsid.
AJ Davison et al. : Genus Mardivirus . In: CM Fauquet, MA Mayo et al .: Eighth Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses . London, San Diego, 2005 pp. 201f ISBN 0-12-249951-4
Brian WJ Mahy and Marc H. van Regenmortel (Eds.): Encyclopedia of Virology , 3rd Edition, Volume 2, pp. 406f, San Diego 2008, ISBN 978-0-12-373935-3
