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Htlv --> human t-lymphotropic virus

(Science: virology) type i: a human, single-stranded rna retrovirus from the subfamily Oncovirinae which causes adult t-cell leukaemia and t-cell lymphoma and may also be involved in certain demyelinating diseases (diseases where the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibres are destroyed). Htlv-i is closely related to htlv-II (60% of their genomes are identical).

type II: a human, single-stranded rna retrovirus from the subfamily Oncovirinae which may cause diseases such as t-cell leukaemia and t-cell lymphoma (but this has not been proven). Htlv-II is closely related to htlv i (60% of their genomes are identical).

type III: An obsolete term for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunity deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Acronym: htlv