Viroids
| Definition: |
A group of pathogens comprising the smallest known agents of infectious disease. They are unencapsulated and are capable of replicating autonomously in susceptible cells. Positively identified viroids composed of single-stranded RNA have been isolated from higher plants, but the existence of DNA viroids pathogenic to animals is suspected. |
| Notes: |
"smallest known agents of infect dis"; read MeSH definition |
| Previously Indexed: |
Plant Viruses (1971-1980),RNA, Viral (1971-1980) |
Viroids Definitions and Terms
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