A genus in the family Arenaviridae that is associated with lymphocytic choriomeningitis and a number of hemorrhagic fevers.
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are·na·vi·rus .ar-ə-nə-'vī-rəs, ə-.rē- n
1) cap a genus of the family Arenaviridae that includes the Machupo virus, the Junin virus, and the causative agents of lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Lassa fever
2) any of the family Arenaviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses
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Are·na·vi·rus (ə-reґnə-vi″rəs) [L. arena sand + virus (from the granules that give the virions a sandy appearance)] arenaviruses; a genus of viruses of the family Arenaviridae, some of which cause hemorrhagic fevers. It includes lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lassa virus, and the viruses of the Tacaribe complex (Amapari, Flexal, Guanarito, Junin, Machupo, Parana, Pichinde, Sabia, Tacaribe, and Tamiami viruses). Rodents are common hosts.Medical dictionary. 2011.