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

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.

Characterization of the complete genome of ribgrass mosaic virus isolated from Plantago major L. from New Zealand and Actinidia spp. from China

“…Based on their complete sequences (Table 2) NZ-439, Actinidia-AD and Kons 1105-R14 are clearly , supporting the establishment of three species (RMV, TVCV, YoMV) within subgroup three. This is in accordance with ICTV guidelines on sequence similarity and known hosts [15,17] and concurs with the list of species recognized in the family Virgaviridae [1]. The crucifer-infecting tobamoviruses, within the recently evolved subgroup 3 tobamoviruses, form a distinct lineage with overlapping movement and coat protein genes and an origin of assembly in the movement protein, which is considered to be a derived characteristic that was not present in common ancestors of tobamoviruses [11,16].…”

Postexposure antibody prophylaxis protects nonhuman primates from filovirus disease

“…M arburg virus (MARV) and Ebola virus (EBOV), from the family Filoviridae, cause acute and frequently fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) and are considered among the deadliest infectious agents known to humans (1)(2)(3). Because of this high lethality and the increasing frequency of outbreaks, filoviruses pose significant emerging disease risks in sub-Saharan Africa and are considered important biological threats.…”

A proposal to change existing virus species names to non-Latinized binomials

“…This has resulted in considerable confusion among virologists who must differentiate in their writing, only on the basis of typography, between a species (a taxonomic construct created by taxonomists) and a virus (a molecular genetic parasite usually causing a disease) [1][2][3][4]. It is important not to confuse a virus species (which is a taxonomic construct or concept which does not have a sequence and cannot be isolated, transmitted to a host or otherwise manipulated) with a virus (a physical entity) that can be isolated and manipulated experimentally and always exists in the form of many mutants, variants and strains possessing different genome sequences.…”