Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection: Features of immune surveillance and antiviral resistance

Abstract

The family of Herpesviridae is highly disseminated in the animal world, with a wide range of host species. Because most animal species have at least one herpesvirus, the number of herpesviruses in nature is likely to exceed by far the 138 currently identifi ed members. To date, eight human herpesviruses have been identifi ed: human herpesvirus 1 to 8 (HHV1-HHV8). They are classifi ed on basis of their cell tropism and genome organization into subfamilies of Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaherpesvirinae (Table 1). In addition to causing productive infections, a key feature of herpesviruses is their ability to establish latency. This non-productive phase lasts for the life time of the host, is characterized by a silent viral infection with intermittent reactivations, commonly clinical unapparent, resulting in intermittent shedding of infectious virus and spread throughout the population.