Update on herpes virus infections of the nervous system

Israel Steiner*, Felix Benninger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

132 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are human neurotropic viruses that establish latent infection in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) for the entire life of the host. From the DRG they can reactivate to cause human morbidity and mortality. Although they vary, in part, in the clinical disorders they cause, and in their molecular structure, they share several features that govern the biology of their infection of the human nervous system. HSV-1 is the causative agent of encephalitis, corneal blindness, and several peripheral nervous system disorders; HSV-2 is responsible for meningoencephalitis in neonates and meningitis in adults. 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. This review covers recent advances in understanding the biology and pathogenesis of HSV-related disease.

Original languageEnglish
Article number414
JournalCurrent Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Volume13
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HSE
  • HSV
  • HSV-1
  • HSV-2
  • Herpes simplex encephalitis
  • Herpes virus infections
  • Nervous system

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Update on herpes virus infections of the nervous system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this