What is "lentivirus"

n. Any of a group of viruses, of the genus (taxlink Lentivirus genus noshow=1), which have a long incubation period

Lentivirus (lente-, Latin for "slow") is a genus of viruses of the Retroviridae family, characterized by a long incubation period. Lentiviruses can deliver a significant amount of viral RNA into the DNA of the host cell and have the unique ability among retroviruses of being able to infect nondividing cells, so they are one of the most efficient methods of a gene delivery vector. HIV, SIV, FIV, EIAV, and Visna are all examples of lentiviruses.