Definition: Adenovirus (aden-voh-RAY-vuh) is a small, non-enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus that infects cells and produces particles. Its size is about 13 nanometers by 950nm. Adenoviruses have been identified in around 48,000 different species of viruses, including humans, animals, plants, fungi and protozoa, among others. The most well studied adenovirus family (AdA) consists of a group of adenoviruses called AdV. AdV-1 is the largest known adenovirus in terms of size; it has been found in around 240 human tissues. In humans, adenoviruses are pathogenic, causing diseases such as conjunctivitis and bronchitis, or even death (adenovirus pneumonia). The virus can infect cells and cause damage to these cells. In humans, the most commonly reported cases of AdV infection is for respiratory infections, including the common cold. Adenoviruses have a wide range of host species; they are not restricted to human beings only. They are found in many other animals, fungi, plants, protozoa and microorganisms as well.

adenoviruses