HIV is an example of what kind of virus?

HIV is an example of what kind of virus?

• A. Retrovirus
• B. Adenovirus
• C. Flavivirus
• D. Paramyxovirus

Answer: (A)

HIV is a retrovirus, meaning its RNA genome is reverse-transcribed into DNA and then integrated into the host cell’s DNA as a provirus. This use of reverse transcription and integration into the genome is the hallmark of the Retroviridae family. Other listed viruses do not employ this replication strategy: adenovirus is a DNA virus, flavivirus is an RNA virus that replicates its RNA without a DNA intermediate, and paramyxovirus is an RNA virus that also does not incorporate a DNA form into the host genome. This reverse-transcription step is why HIV is classified as a retrovirus and it also underpins why reverse-transcriptase inhibitors are effective antiviral drugs.

HIV is a retrovirus, meaning its RNA genome is reverse-transcribed into DNA and then integrated into the host cell’s DNA as a provirus. This use of reverse transcription and integration into the genome is the hallmark of the Retroviridae family. Other listed viruses do not employ this replication strategy: adenovirus is a DNA virus, flavivirus is an RNA virus that replicates its RNA without a DNA intermediate, and paramyxovirus is an RNA virus that also does not incorporate a DNA form into the host genome. This reverse-transcription step is why HIV is classified as a retrovirus and it also underpins why reverse-transcriptase inhibitors are effective antiviral drugs.