SV40

**Semantic type:** Virus

**Definition:** A small (40 to 45 nm) DNA virus of the genus Polyomavirus, family Papovaviridae; the cause of seemingly inapparent infections in monkeys, especially rhesus, and a common contaminant of monkey cell cultures; the virus may cause inapparent infection in humans and may be excreted in stools of children for several weeks; it can produce fibrosarcoma in suckling hamsters, and transformation may occur in human diploid cells; it may also form "hybrid" virus in cells also infected with certain adenoviruses.

**Synonyms:** - Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 - Simian Virus 40 - Virus-SV40 - simian virus 40