A genus in the family Retroviridae containing 5 serogroups that reflect the host with which they are associated. Among the primate lentiviruses are human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2.
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len·ti·vi·rus 'len-tə-.vī-rəs n
1) cap a genus of single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Retroviridae that include SIV and the causative agents of AIDS, equine infectious anemia, and ovine progressive pneumonia
2) any of the genus Lentivirus of the family Retroviridae
len·ti·vi·ral -rəl adj
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Len·ti·vi·rus (lenґtĭ-vi″rəs) [L. lentus slow + virus] a genus of viruses of the family Retroviridae that cause persistent infection that typically results in chronic, progressive, sometimes fatal disease. Species include the human immunodeficiency viruses, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus, equine infectious anemia virus, simian immunodeficiency virus, and visna/maedi virus.Medical dictionary. 2011.