Organisms

Viruses

Minute infectious agents whose genomes are composed of DNA or RNA, but not both. They are characterized by a lack of independent metabolism and the inability to replicate outside living host cells.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Minute infectious agents whose genomes are composed of DNA or RNA, but not both. They are characterized by a lack of independent metabolism and the inability to replicate outside living host cells.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Virus
  • Animal Viruses
  • Zoophaginae
  • Animal Virus
  • Virus, Animal
  • Viruses, Animal

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

12 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pathogenicity, radiation effects, ultrastructure.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; prefer specific taxonomic group or genus; do not confuse "slow viruses" with VIRUS LATENCY: slow cause disease with very long preclinical course & very slow progression, VIRUS LATENCY is the ability of a virus to lie dormant in a cell; presence of viruses in blood = VIREMIA; many pre-coordinated viral terms are available such as VIRAL PROTEINS; RNA, VIRAL, etc.; policy: Manual 22.18, 22.24+

MeSH Record

History Note

1963; for ANIMAL VIRUSES & ZOOPHAGINAE use VERTEBRATE VIRUSES 1975-1991

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B04w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Viruses. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D014780. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D014780
  2. Viruses. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus
  3. Viruses. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q808