Arenaviruses.

I. INTRODUCTION Arenavirus is the proposed designation for a set of viruses which have a unique morphology (76). The virions are round, oval, or pleomorphic with diameters between 60 and 350 nm, an electron-dense membrane with spikes or projections, and a number of inclusion-like, dense particles that give the virion an aspect of having been sand sprinkled (arenosus). Arenaviruses have an RNA genome, are inactivated by lipid solvents, and share antigenic components. Since the first recognized member of this group was lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus, it is considered the pro