A genus of viruses (family Papovaviridae) containing double-stranded circular DNA (MW 5 × 106), having virions about 55 nm in diameter, and including the papilloma and wart viruses of humans and other animals, some of which are associated with inductions of carcinoma. More than 70 types are known to infect humans and are differentiated by DNA homology. SYN: papilloma virus.
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pap·il·lo·ma·vi·rus .pap-ə-'lō-mə-.vī-rəs n
1) cap the sole genus in a family (Papillomaviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that contain a single molecule of DNA, have a capsid composed of 72 capsomers, and cause papillomas in mammals
2) any of the genus Papillomavirus of double-stranded DNA viruses
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pap·il·lo·ma·vi·rus (pap″ĭ-loґmə-vi″rəs) any virus of the family Papillomaviridae. papillomaviral adjMedical dictionary. 2011.