What are adventitious viruses?

Adventitious viruses are viruses that are unintentionally introduced into a biological system, such as cell cultures or plant tissues, often through contamination during the production or handling processes. These viruses can interfere with experiments or production, potentially affecting the purity and quality of biological products. Their presence is a concern in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as they can compromise research results and product safety. Monitoring and controlling for adventitious viruses is a critical aspect of good manufacturing practices.