latency

(noun)

The ability of a pathogenic virus to lie dormant within a cell.

Related Terms

Examples of latency in the following topics:

  • The Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles of Bacteriophages

    • In a process called latency, these viruses can exist in nervous tissue for long periods of time without producing new virions, only to leave latency periodically and cause lesions in the skin where the virus replicates.
    • Even though there are similarities between lysogeny and latency, the term lysogenic cycle is usually reserved to describe bacteriophages.

  • Animal Viruses

    • As mentioned, herpes simplex virus can remain in a state of latency in nervous tissue for months, even years.
    • Its double-stranded DNA genome incorporates into the host DNA and reactivates after latency in the form of (b) shingles, often exhibiting a rash.