Description may not cover all sections listed and therefore some links may not be functional at present. Cytopathology Antigenic Properties Serological Relationships Diagnosis Biological Properties Symptoms and Host Range Transmission Geographic Distribution Ecology and Control Diagnostic and Methods Taxonomic Structure General Comments References Data sources and Contributors Related Databases Additional Data Sources and Teaching aids Taxonomy Virus Code . 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.