The document is the Sixth Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), published by Springer-Verlag Wien GmbH. It is a comprehensive guide to the classification and nomenclature of viruses, reflecting the consensus and efforts of approximately 400 virologists from around the world. The report covers the proceedings of the ICTV since 1990, including decisions from mid-term meetings and the Ninth International Congress of Virology in Glasgow in 1993. The report is divided into several parts: 1. **Introduction to the Universal System of Virus Taxonomy**: This section provides an overview of the history of virus taxonomy, the role of the ICTV, and the principles of the universal system. It also discusses virus nomenclature, structural and genomic properties, and the importance of taxonomy in diagnostic virology. 2. **The Viruses**: This part includes a glossary of abbreviations and terms, virus diagrams, and detailed descriptions of various taxa. The viruses are listed alphabetically, by host, and by nucleic acid type. 3. **The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses**: This section provides information about the officers and members of the ICTV, the statutes and rules of the committee, and the format for submitting new taxonomic proposals. 4. **Indexes**: The report includes author, virus, and taxonomic indexes for easy reference. The report emphasizes the dynamic nature of virus taxonomy, highlighting the ongoing efforts to update and refine the classification system as new discoveries are made. It underscores the importance of international collaboration and consensus in advancing the field of virology.The document is the Sixth Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), published by Springer-Verlag Wien GmbH. It is a comprehensive guide to the classification and nomenclature of viruses, reflecting the consensus and efforts of approximately 400 virologists from around the world. The report covers the proceedings of the ICTV since 1990, including decisions from mid-term meetings and the Ninth International Congress of Virology in Glasgow in 1993. The report is divided into several parts: 1. **Introduction to the Universal System of Virus Taxonomy**: This section provides an overview of the history of virus taxonomy, the role of the ICTV, and the principles of the universal system. It also discusses virus nomenclature, structural and genomic properties, and the importance of taxonomy in diagnostic virology. 2. **The Viruses**: This part includes a glossary of abbreviations and terms, virus diagrams, and detailed descriptions of various taxa. The viruses are listed alphabetically, by host, and by nucleic acid type. 3. **The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses**: This section provides information about the officers and members of the ICTV, the statutes and rules of the committee, and the format for submitting new taxonomic proposals. 4. **Indexes**: The report includes author, virus, and taxonomic indexes for easy reference. The report emphasizes the dynamic nature of virus taxonomy, highlighting the ongoing efforts to update and refine the classification system as new discoveries are made. It underscores the importance of international collaboration and consensus in advancing the field of virology.