A family of small, antigenically distinct viruses that replicate in nuclei of infected cells; most have oncogenic properties. Virions are 45–55 nm in diameter, nonenveloped, and ether-resistant; capsids are icosahedral with 72 capsomeres, and they contain double-stranded circular DNA (MW 3–5 × 106). The family includes 2 genera Papillomavirus and Polyomavirus. [papilloma + polyoma + vacuolating]
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Pa·po·va·vi·ri·dae pə-.pō-və-'vir-ə-.dē n pl a former family of double-stranded DNA viruses that included the polyomaviruses and the papillomaviruses before they were placed in their own families
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Pa·po·va·vi·ri·dae (pə-po″və-virґĭ-de) a former family of DNA viruses that included the papillomaviruses and polyomaviruses; see Papillomaviridae and Polyomaviridae.Medical dictionary. 2011.