Eight scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter “X” are documented in this comprehensive guide. Most of these viruses infect plant-pathogenic bacteria known as Xanthomonas, which cause serious diseases in crops like rice and citrus fruits. Notably, only one virus on this list—Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus—has ever been studied in relation to humans, though it is not confirmed to cause disease.
Explore the detailed table below to learn more about each virus, its classification, hosts, symptoms, and how it spreads.
Virus Name This column lists the official names of the viruses, allowing you to identify each virus species or family clearly.
Classification Here, you will find the viral family or type, such as bacteriophages or retroviruses, along with information about their genetic material and overall virus group.
Primary Hosts This field indicates whether the virus affects humans, plants, or bacteria. It clarifies the main organisms each virus targets.
Associated Illness/Symptoms This describes symptoms or effects caused by the virus in its primary hosts, such as plant disease or the absence of symptoms in humans.
Transmission Method This explains how the virus spreads among its hosts, including bacterial infection routes or hypothetical human transmission methods.
Descripción A brief description highlights important facts about each virus, including its role in disease, research significance, or epidemiological notes.
Viruses that start with X
| Virus | Classification | Affects humans? | Symptoms | Transmission method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xanthoviridae | Family (dsDNA virus, Bacteriophage) | No | Bacterial lysis; causes disease in plant-pathogenic bacteria, not humans. | Not applicable to humans; spreads within bacterial populations in environments like plants. |
| Xanthomonas phage XaF10 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Bacterial lysis of *Xanthomonas* species; does not affect humans. | Not applicable to humans; spreads within bacterial hosts through contact or environmental means. |
| Xanthomonas phage XacN1 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Bacterial lysis of *Xanthomonas* species, such as those causing citrus canker; no human symptoms. | Not applicable to humans; spreads among bacterial hosts in plant environments. |
| Xanthomonas phage XacSP1 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Lysis of *Xanthomonas* bacteria; specifically targets plant pathogens, not human cells. | Not applicable to humans; spreads among susceptible bacterial populations, often in agricultural settings. |
| Xanthomonas phage Xp10 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Bacterial lysis of *Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae*, the rice blight pathogen; no human symptoms. | Not applicable to humans; transmission occurs between bacterial cells, often in soil or plant environments. |
| Xanthomonas phage Xoo-sp1 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Lysis of *Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae*; does not cause symptoms in humans. | Not applicable to humans; spreads within bacterial populations in infected plants or environmental samples. |
| Xanthomonas phage phiXacCSL1 | Bacteriophage (dsDNA virus) | No | Bacterial lysis of *Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri*; no human health impact. | Not applicable to humans; transmitted between bacterial cells in plant tissues or contaminated environments. |
| Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus | Retrovirus (Gammaretrovirus) | No (historically debated, no confirmed human pathogenicity) | No confirmed human symptoms. Initial controversial links to chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer were later retracted due to lab contamination. | No confirmed human-to-human transmission. If it were a human pathogen, typical retroviral transmission (blood, sexual, vertical) might occur. |