Adeno-associated viruses

An adeno-associated virus is a virus that has the ability to reproduce only inside an infected host cell. It cannot be transmitted from one person to another, even if they are in contact with someone who is sick. However, it can cause infection in humans if cells become infected with the virus inside a tissue or organ. Viruses are usually associated with certain types of cells, which is why they are called adeno-associated. For example, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes infections in lymphocytes (eg, in patients with infectious mononucleosis), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects human epithelial cells (eg, in genital herpes).

Important Features Adenocyte-associated viruses have a wide range of biological properties that may influence their pathogenicity and infectivity. They are, for example, very resistant to physical influence (temperature, light and

**Adeno-associated viruses** are a relatively new group of viruses that are related to the human adenovirus, but unlike them are not able to reproduce independently in cell cultures. These viruses were first described in 2005 and were named Adeno