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herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a family (Herpesviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that include the cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus and the causative agents of chicken pox, herpes simplex, Marek's disease, roseola infantum, and shingles
Examples of herpesvirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a paper posted to the preprint site bioRxiv, the researchers detected fragments of adenovirus (which causes cold-like illnesses), herpesvirus (linked to cold sores) and papillomavirus (HPV) in Neanderthal genome data.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024
After the fall, the bird was found to have had severe pigeon herpesvirus and four different anticoagulant rodenticides, or rat poison, within his system, according to the postmortem testing results released by the Central Park Zoo on March 25.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
On Monday, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement that the contagious and often-fatal herpesvirus infection had damaged Flaco’s tissues, organs, spleen, liver and brain.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The necropsy, conducted by Bronx Zoo veterinary pathologists, showed that the Eurasian eagle owl contracted herpesvirus from a healthy pigeon.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
The herpesvirus in question can be carried by healthy pigeons but may cause fatal disease in birds of prey, including owls that become infected by eating pigeons, the society said.
—Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
It is sometimes referred to as human herpesvirus 4.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
Related: Study mapping how SARS-CoV-2 disrupts mitochondria suggests a cause for long Covid
The Zurich team’s protein analysis revealed something other researchers have noted: Antibodies against prior herpesvirus infections were reactivated.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024
The other flavor has tails and primarily infects bacteria and archaea but also contains the herpesvirus family, which infects animals.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herpesvirus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1925, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near herpesvirus
Cite this Entry
“Herpesvirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpesvirus. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a group of viruses that contain DNA and cause herpes
Medical Definition
herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a family Herpesviridae of double-stranded DNA viruses
More from Merriam-Webster on herpesvirus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herpesvirus
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