What is the Difference Between Ecotropic Amphotropic and Pantropic Virus?

The main difference between ecotropic, amphotropic, and pantropic viruses lies in the range of host cells they can infect:

1. Ecotropic viruses can only infect mouse or rat cells. They are considered safer to work with because they do not infect human cells.
2. Amphotropic viruses can infect most mammalian cells. They have a broader host range compared to ecotropic viruses but are still unable to infect human cells.
3. Pantropic viruses can infect cells of any species. They have the widest host range and can infect both animal and human cells.

All three types of viruses are intracellular parasites that infect living cells, causing damage to their host organism. However, when working with amphotropic and pantropic viruses, special care should be taken due to their ability to infect human cells.

Comparative Table: Ecotropic Amphotropic vs Pantropic Virus

Ecotropic, amphotropic, and pantropic viruses differ in the range of cells they can infect. Here is a table summarizing their characteristics:

Ecotropic viruses can only infect mouse or rat cells and are considered safe to work with as they do not infect human cells. Amphotropic viruses can infect a broad range of mammalian cells. Pantropic viruses, on the other hand, can infect almost all kinds of cells, including mammalian and some non-mammalian cells. Both amphotropic and pantropic viruses are pathogenic, while ecotropic viruses do not infect human cells.