noun
- a type of retrovirus that causes slow-progressing infections and can remain dormant in cells for long periods
Usage: medical; virology
Examples
- HIV is the most well-known lentivirus affecting humans.
- Scientists study lentiviruses to understand how they establish persistent infections.
- The lentivirus remained inactive in the patient’s cells for years before symptoms appeared.
- Researchers are developing lentivirus-based vectors for gene therapy.
- Unlike other viruses, lentiviruses can infect non-dividing cells.
- The laboratory confirmed the presence of a lentivirus in the blood sample.