Herpes simplex virus meningoencephalitis

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2) are human neutropic viruses that establish latent infection in dorsal root ganglia for the entire life of the host. From this reservoir they can reactivate to cause human morbidity and mortality. Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is one of the most devastating disorders caused by these viruses. The biology of their ability to establish latency, maintain it for the entire life of the host, reactivate, and cause primary and recurrent disease is being studied in animal models and in humans. Of special interest is the question whether HSE is the result of primary infection or is it the outcome of reactivation? The present review covers the biological, medical, and neurological aspects HSE, focusing on recent molecular findings of gene expression during latent infection of HSV-1. Despite accumulating knowledge, there are still several issues regarding both pathogenesis and therapy of HSV-1 that currently defy understanding.