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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
12:22
A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Herpesviruses: emerging nosocomial pathogens?
1Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA. dfry@salud.unm.edu
Surgical Infections
|February 22, 2003
Summary
Hospitalized patients with herpesvirus infections are typically experiencing reactivation of latent disease, not new nosocomial infections. This reactivation can be life-threatening for immunosuppressed individuals.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Herpesviruses are common pathogens infecting over 90% of adults.
- Hospitalized patients, often immunosuppressed, are at increased risk for herpesvirus manifestations.
- Distinguishing between reactivated latent infections and nosocomial herpesvirus infections in hospitals is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the origin of herpesvirus manifestations in hospitalized patients.
- To differentiate between latent herpesvirus reactivation and nosocomial infections.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of English-language literature on herpesvirus infections was conducted.
Main Results:
- Eight human herpesviruses are known, characterized by double-stranded DNA and a specific structure.
- Herpesvirus transmission typically occurs via oral secretions.
- Reactivation syndromes are observed in immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients, cancer patients, and those with AIDS.
- Human herpesvirus-5 (cytomegalovirus) is associated with severe infections, while human herpesvirus-7's role is less defined.
Conclusions:
- Herpesvirus clinical presentations in surgical patients are predominantly reactivations of latent infections, not nosocomial infections.
- Reactivated herpesvirus disease poses a lethal threat to immunosuppressed hosts.
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