Which virus family is enveloped, double-stranded DNA and known for latency?

• A. Adenoviridae
• B. Papillomaviridae
• C. Herpesviridae
• D. Coronaviridae

Answer: (C)

Latency is a hallmark behavior of herpesviruses. These viruses are enveloped and have double-stranded DNA genomes. They establish a latent infection by persisting in nerve cells as an episomal genome with limited gene expression, allowing the infection to lie dormant and reactivate later, causing recurrent disease such as cold sores or shingles. This combination of being enveloped, having dsDNA, and known latency points to the herpesviruses, including HSV, VZV, CMV, and EBV. Other candidates may be enveloped or have dsDNA, but the strong, defining feature here is latency, which is characteristic of this family.