Herpesvirus gorilla
Encyclopedia
Herpesvirus gorilla was the fifth virus described in the lymphocryptovirus
genus of herpesviruses
. Previously described members of that genus
were the human Epstein-Barr virus
as well as lymphocryptoviruses that infect baboons, chimpanzees, and orangutans. As its name implies, herpesvirus gorilla infects gorillas.
Lymphocryptovirus
Lymphocryptoviruses are a genus of herpesviruses that include the human Epstein-Barr virus as well as viruses that infect both Old World monkeys and New World monkeys...
genus of herpesviruses
Herpesviridae
The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...
. Previously described members of that genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
were the human Epstein-Barr virus
Epstein-Barr virus
The Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
as well as lymphocryptoviruses that infect baboons, chimpanzees, and orangutans. As its name implies, herpesvirus gorilla infects gorillas.