Virus Accession number 59000000. Prions are small, proteinaceous infectious particles that resist inactivation by procedures which affect nucleic acids. To date, no detectable nucleic acids of any kind and no virus-like particles have been associated with prions. Prions cause scrapie and other spongiform encephalopathies of animals and humans. Virus infects vertebrates.
Description is on taxonomic level of family.
Properties of Virion Morphology Microsomal membranes visible in infected brain cells. Virions not enveloped. The rods are smooth, almost ribbon-like, and infrequently are twisted. The rods resemble purified amyloid, both ultrastructurally and histochemically. The rods are not considered the infectious entity since large PrP 27-30 polymers are not required for infectivity.