The herpes simplex viruses

Abstract

The Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSVs) are neurotropic viruses that establish lifelong latent infections in the peripheral nerve ganglia of humans. While these viruses most commonly result in asymptomatic infections, they are associated with a wide spectrum of clinical diseases ranging from cold sores and genital lesions to encephalitis and blindness. The latent virus that is present in the nerve ganglia reactivates periodically and is shed virus at the initial site of infection, often in the absence of clinical symptoms. There are currently antivirals that reduce the frequency and severity of the recurrences, but there is no vaccine or cure. This chapter gives an overview of the biology, epidemiology, clinical diseases, and molecular biology of HSV. Model systems that are used to study the molecular basis of HSV latency and reactivation are discussed and recent insights into the regulation of HSV latency and reactivation through noncoding RNAs and chromatin are presented. Finally, we conclude with a summary of research on new therapies and prospects for a vaccine.