Arenaviridae

A family of over 15 RNA viruses, many of which are natural parasites of rodents, that includes lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lassa virus, and the Tacaribe virus complex. The virions are 50–300 nm (average 100 nm) in diameter, enveloped, ether-sensitive, and contain 2 single-stranded RNA molecules (molecular weight 3–5 × 10⁶); they also contain electron-dense, RNA-containing granules (20 to 30 nm in diameter) that resemble ribosomes, with an electron-microscopic appearance of sandiness. [L. arena (harena), sand]

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Are·na·vi·ri·dae .ar-ə-nə-'vir-ə-.dē, ə-.rē- n pl a family of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a grainy appearance due to the presence of ribosomes in the virion and that are usu. transmitted to humans by infected wild rodents through contamination of food and personal items or by inhalation of the airborne virus

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Are·na·vi·ri·dae (ə-re″nə-virґĭ-de) the arenaviruses: a family of RNA viruses having a pleomorphic virion 50–300 nm in diameter consisting of a lipid bilayer envelope, with large peplomers, surrounding a coiled nucleocapsid with two members and a variable number of ribosomes. The genome consists of two circular molecules of ambisense single-stranded RNA, designated L (MW 1.1Ч10⁶) and S (MW 2.2–2.8Ч10⁶) (size of total genome 10–14 kb). Viruses contain three major polypeptides, including a transcriptase, and are ultraviolet- and gamma radiation–sensitive. Replication and assembly occur in the cytoplasm; virions are released by budding through the plasma membrane. Host ranges are narrow. There is a single genus, Arenavirus.