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Emerging issues in virus taxonomy
Marc H V van Regenmortel1, Brian W J Mahy
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Biotechnology School, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France. vanregen@esbs.u-strasbg.fr
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 14, 2004
Summary
Viruses are nonliving infectious entities, distinct from microorganisms. This study reviews changes in virus classification, including the establishment of virus species and proposals for binomial nomenclature.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biological Classification
- Taxonomy
Background:
- Viruses are nonliving infectious entities with unique biological properties.
- Distinguishing between virus, virion, and virus species is crucial for accurate classification.
- The concept of virus species was formally adopted in virus classification in 1991.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe changes in virus classification introduced in the 7th ICTV report.
- To discuss the establishment and demarcation of viral species.
- To explore proposals for a non-Latinized binomial nomenclature for virus species.
Main Methods:
- Review of changes in virus classification.
- Analysis of the 7th ICTV report (published in 2000).
- Discussion of proposals for virus nomenclature.
Main Results:
- The 7th ICTV report recognized 1,550 viral species.
- Over 50 ICTV study groups were involved in demarcating these species.
- Recent proposals suggest a non-Latinized binomial nomenclature for virus species.
Conclusions:
- Virus classification has evolved, with the formal recognition of virus species.
- The establishment of species categories aids in organizing viral diversity.
- Binomial nomenclature may offer a standardized approach to naming virus species.