Viral Coinfections

Abstract

In nature, viral coinfection is as widespread as viral infection alone. Viral coinfections often cause altered viral pathogenicity, disrupted host defense, and mixed-up clinical symptoms, all of which result in more difficult diagnosis and treatment of a disease. There are three major virus–virus interactions in coinfection cases: viral interference, viral synergy, and viral noninterference. We analyzed virus–virus interactions in both aspects of viruses and hosts and elucidated their possible mechanisms. Finally, we summarized the protocol of viral coinfection studies and key points in the process of virus separation and purification.