retrovirus

/ˌˈrɛtroʊˌvaɪrəs/

Other forms: retroviruses

Definitions of retrovirus

1. noun

   any of a group of viruses that contain two single-strand linear RNA molecules per virion and reverse transcriptase (RNA to DNA); the virus transcribes its RNA into a cDNA provirus that is then incorporated into the host cell
   types:

   HTLV-1, human T-cell leukemia virus-1

   retrovirus causing T-cell leukemia

   HIV, human immunodeficiency virus

   the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); it replicates in and kills the helper T cells

   type of:

   animal virus

   an animal pathogen that is a virus