noun
- any of a family of small DNA viruses that can cause tumors in animals and humans
Usage: medical; virology
Examples
- The papovavirus family includes several viruses that affect humans.
- Scientists studied the papovavirus to understand its role in cancer development.
- Some papovaviruses can remain dormant in the body for years.
- The laboratory identified a papovavirus in the tissue sample.
- Researchers are developing vaccines against certain papovaviruses.
- The papovavirus was first discovered in the 1950s.