Evolution

RNA Viruses' Adaptive Capacity Exponentially Exceeds Expectations

Published in Hepatitis Weekly, July 17th, 1995

New data show that RNA viruses have an astonishing capacity for adaptation - an evolutionary capability orders of magnitude greater than previously predicted.

RNA viruses include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLVs), hepatitis C virus, and other pathogenic viruses. The new findings have broad implications for virus epidemiology (especially for so-called "emerging viruses"), the handling of attenuated live-virus vaccines, and routine laboratory procedures.

Because of their unreliable replication machinery, RNA viruses give rise to mutant swarms or quasispecies, permitting them to evolve thousands or even millions...

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Source: Hepatitis Weekly (1995-07-17)

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