adeno-associated virus or AAV – AAV is a defective parovirus with a single-stranded DNA genome and a naked protein coat. AAV is in the dependovirus division of the parvovirus family. One of the main distinguishing features of AAV is that it requires a helper virus (for example, herpes or adeno virus families) for productive growth, in the absence of a helper virus no progeny virus is produced but the AAV integrates into the host chromosome at a very low frequency.

A parvo virus that does not cause damage to the host or replicate without a helper adenovirus.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is the smallest of known human viruses. There is no disease which has been to date associated with AAV. The virus causes very mild immune response and can infect non-dividing cells.