[Infectiology] DNA Viruses

Biology

• Viruses

DNA viruses are infectious agents which carry their genetic material encoded into DNA molecules and replicate without using an RNA intermediate.

After entering a host cell, the viral DNA is replicated using the nucleotides of the host. The viral DNA is transcribed into RNA and enters the ribosomes of the host, where it is translated into viral proteins. The new viral proteins and DNA organise into a new virion and leave the host cell. The new virions can infect new cells.

 

Taxonomy

Taxonomic tree of famous DNA viruses

Pathology

Many DNA viruses almost never cause disease in healthy hosts. Most of the DNA viruses cause mostly minor symptoms in hosts. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the same viruses can cause severe symptoms or death.

Diseases caused by DNA viruses