A DNA virus is a virus that has DNA as its genetic material and replicates using a DNA-dependent DNA polymerase. The nucleic acid is usually double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) but may also be single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). DNA viruses belong to either Group I or Group II of the Baltimore classification system for viruses. Single-stranded DNA is usually expanded to double-stranded in infected cells. Although Group VII viruses such as hepatitis B contain a DNA genome, they are not considered DNA viruses according to the Baltimore classification, but rather reverse transcribing viruses because they replicate through an RNA intermediate.
Recent taxonomic proposals by the Herpesviridae Study Group
Herpes viruses are double stranded DNA viruses assigned to Group I. The Herpesviridae Study Group has proposed that herpes viruses be assigned to a newly defined order, Herpesvirales. They also propose that the currently unassigned family Herpesviridae be reassigned to the new herpes order. In addition, they propose that the families Alloherpesviridae and Malacoherpesviridae also be assigned to the new order. [1]
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