Baltimore classification

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Baltimore classification is a system used to classify viruses by their routes of transferring genetic information from the genome to messenger RNA (mRNA). Seven Baltimore groups, or classes, exist and are designated by the Roman numerals I to VII. Groups are defined by whether the viral genome is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA); whether the genome is single- or double-stranded; and whether the virus makes DNA from RNA (reverse transcription (RT)). Viruses with single-stranded genomes are further differentiated by whether these genomes are positive-sense (+) or negative-sense (–). Viruses within each of the Baltimore groups typically share a common replication method. Additional characteristics, such as virion structure, are not directly related to Baltimore classification and may not be shared by viruses within each group. The seven Baltimore groups are for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA...

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