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This work is focused on selected DNA viruses and some of their mechanisms used for inhibition or induction of the apoptotic processes. The selected DNA viruses are Hepatitis B virus, polyomaviruses, papillomaviruses and herpesviruses. Viruses developed different strategies for fighting the host defense mechanism during their evolution. One of the host defense mechanisms that reacts against virus infection is apoptosis. In case of viruses we can observe the phenomenon of inhibition or induction of apoptosis (which both depend on the life cycle phase of the virus). The purpose of these "fighting" strategies is to ensure successful replication, virus releasing from the cell and finally to let it spread in an organism or among them. Some "fighting" strategies are similar e.g. targeting and manipulation on p53 oncosupresor level or production of Bcl-2 homologs; other strategies are very specific. Certain viruses have mechanisms which allow them to survive in a host organism for a long time.