@memerman @nellgreenfieldboyce

Michael said it well. I would add the following three points:

1) DNA viruses (and retroviruses) are much better studied than RNA viruses, simply because DNA is easily detectable, whereas RNA rapidly degrades in a matter of hours, and is therefore difficult to detect.

(continued)

@memerman @nellgreenfieldboyce

2) DNA viruses are well-appreciated to exist in a "latent" state, where they can last indefinitely out of the reach of the immune system.

3) However, there has been less appreciation of the fact that RNA viruses also can have "latent" states, where they can also last indefinitely out of the reach of the immune system.
For example:
https://mstdn.science/@pyrrhus/109507942028202866

Eric Pyrrhus

2022-12-13 19:09:48

1/13
How RNA viruses can use their dsRNA intermediate state as a de facto latent state, facilitating viral persistence.

Positive single-stranded #RNA viruses have a replication cycle that includes a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediate state.

#virology @virology #virus #virome #ViralPersistence #InfectiousDisease