The practical need to partition the world of viruses into distinguishable, universally agreed upon entities is the ultimate justification for developing a virus classification system. Since 1971, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) operating on behalf of the world community of virologists has taken on the task of developing a single, universal taxonomic scheme for all viruses infecting animals (vertebrate, invertebrates, and protozoa), plants (higher plants and algae), fungi, bacteria, and archaea. The current report builds on the accumulated taxonomic construction of the eight previous reports dating back to 1971 and records the proceedings of the Committee since publication of the last report in 2005. Representing the work of more than 500 virologists worldwide, this report is the authoritative reference for virus organization, distinction, and structure.

"Brings up-to-date the work of the ICNV (whose name has since been changed to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)), as the situation stood after the last plenary meeting of ICTV in Madrid in September 1975."--Pref.

Part I: Introduction to Universal Virus Taxonomy. Part II: The Viruses. A Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms. Taxa Listed by Nucleic Acid and Size of the Genome. The Virus Diagrams. The Virus Particle Structures. The Order of Presentation of the Viruses. The Double Stranded DNA Viruses. The Single Stranded DNA Viruses. The DNA and RNA Reverse Transcribing Viruses. The Double Stranded RNA Viruses. The Negative Sense Single Stranded RNA Viruses. The Positive Sense Single Stranded RNA Viruses. The Unassigned Viruses. The Subviral Agents. Viroids. Satellites. Vertebrate Prions. Fungal Prions. Part III: The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Officers and Members of the ICTV, 1999-2002. The Statutes of the ICTV, 1998. The Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature,1998. Part IV: Indexs. Virus Indexs. Taxonomic Index.

Virus Structure covers the full spectrum of modern structural virology. Its goal is to describe the means for defining moderate to high resolution structures and the basic principles that have emerged from these studies. Among the topics covered are Hybrid Vigor, Structural Folds of Viral Proteins, Virus Particle Dynamics, Viral Gemone Organization, Enveloped Viruses and Large Viruses. - Covers viral assembly using heterologous expression systems and cell extracts - Discusses molecular mechanisms in bacteriophage T7 procapsid assembly, maturation and DNA containment - Includes information on structural studies on antibody/virus complexes

Virus Taxonomy is a standard and comprehensive source for the classification of viruses, created by the International Committee of the Taxonomy of Viruses. The book includes eight taxonomic reports of the ICTV and provides comprehensive information on 3 taxonomic orders of viruses, 73 families, 9 subfamilies, 287 genera, and 1938 virus species. The book also features about 429 colored pictures and diagrams for more efficient learning. The text is divided into four parts, comprised of 16 chapters and presenting the following features: • Compiled data from numerous international experts about virus taxonomy and nomenclature • Organized information on over 6000 recognized viruses, illustrated with diagrams of genome organization and virus replication cycle • Data on the phylogenetic relationships among viruses of the same and different taxa • Discussion of the qualitative and quantitative relationships of virus sequences The book is a definitive reference for microbiologists, molecular biologists, research-level virologists, infectious disease specialists, and pharmaceutical researchers working on antiviral agents. Students and novices in taxonomy and nomenclature will also find this text useful.* The standard official ITCV reference for virus taxonomy and nomenclature, compiling data from 500 international experts * Covers over 6000 recognized viruses, organized by family with diagrams of genome organization and virus replication cycle* Provides data on the phylogenic relationships between viruses belonging to the same or different taxa* Now includes information about the qualitative and quantitative relationships between virus sequences

This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.

Comparative Virology provides an integrated comparison of viruses, based on their chemical and morphological characteristics. These descriptions will not only give the reader a background but also a detailed analysis of the various groups. In some instances the groups are still host related, as in the case of bacteriophages and polyhedral insect viruses. In others, for instance in pox viruses, the group comprises viruses of vertebrates and invertebrates. The hosts of the bacilliform Rhabdovirales range from man and other warm-blooded vertebrates through invertebrate animals to plants. A special chapter is devoted to viruses devoid of protein—a group that is of great interest and that has only recently been recognized. Since there is historical and practical interest in écologie groupings, such as arboviruses and oncogenic viruses, chapters on such groups have also been included. The book opens with a discussion on the classification of viruses. Chapters dealing with DNA viruses and RNA viruses follow, and the ecologically and disease-oriented groups complete the volume. It is hoped that ""Comparative Virology"" will help bring unity to the science of virology through the comparative approach that is not dependent on virus-host interactions. The combined efforts of eminent contributors to discuss and evaluate new information will hopefully benefit all who are interested in virology