Join for Free! 119393 members    Moderator: BioTeam   Postby
rabia » Tue May 06, 2008 7:32 pm  hey guys,  I am doing a take
home exam, and there are few questions I am having trouble with
answering properly.  The first question is, I have an answer
somewhat but I don't know the exact reason why retroviruses
cause latent infections. Can someone help me. 1. Discuss why
some retroviruses cause latent infections.  Retroviruses are
known to belong to the viral family Retroviriadie. They are
enveloped viruses possessing an RNA genome, and replicate via a
DNA intermediate. Retroviruses rely on the enzyme reverse
transcriptase to perform the reverse transcription of its genome
from RNA into DNA, which can then be integrated into the host's
genome with an enzyme. The virus then replicates as part of the
cell's DNA. Infectious retroviruses have the following criteria:
generation of cells that escape a cell mediated immune response,
down regulation of MHC production in infected cells so they are
unable to recognized and