The persistence of a non-replicating infectious agent in the host.
an infection by a virus in which the virus lays dormant in the host cell
An infection that lies dormant in the body for months or years but can reappear.
Dormant stage of certain infections during vvhich the infectious agent is known to be present but is not actively replicating and cannot be detected by usual means.
Viruses which are able to down-regulate their gene expression can establish a truly latent state, i.e. with strictly limited gene expression and without ongoing virus replication. Latent virus infections typically persist for the entire life of the host.
1. Infection unaccompanied by visible symptoms. 2. See latent period. ( 21)
