Nomenclature and classification of herpesviruses: a proposal.

The system for naming and classifying herpesviruses proposed in this memorandum is intended for consideration by other workers before a final proposal is made to the International Commission for Nomenclature of Viruses. The proposal is to classify the herpesviruses in species and subspecies. The virus species should carry the name of the family, super-family, suborder, or order naturally infected by this virus. The second part of the name of the virus should be a numerical designation for each type of virus infecting that unit. The subspecies (representing closely related but clearly biologically different herpesviruses isolated from a given unit of animal classification) should be designated with a consecutive letter in addition to the numerical species designation.