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Clarification and guidance on the proper usage of virus and virus species names

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Abstract

A pivotal step in the development of a consistent nomenclature for virus classification was the introduction of the virus species concept by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) in 1991. Yet, almost two decades later, many virologists still are unable to differentiate between virus species and actual viruses. Here we attempt to explain the origin of this confusion, clarify the difference between taxa and physical entities, and suggest simple measures that could be implemented by ICTV Study Groups to make virus taxonomy and nomenclature more accessible to laboratory virologists.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Charles H. Calisher (Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA) and Marc H. V. van Regenmortel (CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France) for many stimulating and thought-provoking discussions on virus taxonomy and nomenclature. We are also indebted to Thomas S. Postler (New England Primate Research Center, Southborough, MA, USA) and Victoria M. Wahl-Jensen (Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA) for editorial comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick), Division of Clinical Research (DCR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA

    Jens H. Kuhn & Peter B. Jahrling

  2. IRF-Frederick contract employee of Tunnell Consulting, Inc., King of Prussia, PA, 19406, USA

    Jens H. Kuhn

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  1. Jens H. Kuhn
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  2. Peter B. Jahrling
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Correspondence to Jens H. Kuhn.

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Kuhn, J.H., Jahrling, P.B. Clarification and guidance on the proper usage of virus and virus species names. Arch Virol 155, 445–453 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0600-9

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