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Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Published on: August 24, 2015
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Is herpes simplex a systemic disease?
Ivan N Staikov1, Neyko V Neykov1, Jana S Kazandjieva2
1Department of Neurology, Tokuda Hospital Sofia, 51 B Nikola Vaptsarov Blvd., Sofia 1407, Bulgaria.
Clinics in Dermatology
|September 1, 2015
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, typically affecting skin and genitalia, can manifest in multiple organ systems, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. This raises the question of whether herpes simplex is a systemic disease beyond its common dermatological presentation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) commonly causes orofacial infections, while HSV-2 is recognized as a sexually transmitted disease.
- HSV establishes lifelong latency in the host's dorsal root ganglia.
- While typically impacting skin and genitalia, HSV can lead to severe manifestations in immunocompromised patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the systemic nature of herpes simplex virus infections.
- To evaluate the extent of HSV involvement beyond typical dermatological and genital presentations.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical cases and existing literature on HSV manifestations.
- Analysis of documented systemic complications of HSV infections.
Main Results:
- HSV infections can present with widespread skin involvement, chronic ulcers, and extensive mucous membrane damage.
- Systemic infections can localize in the central and peripheral nervous systems, gastrointestinal tract, and ocular system.
- Immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to severe and disseminated HSV disease.
Conclusions:
- Accumulating evidence suggests herpes simplex virus infections extend beyond the skin and genitalia.
- The diverse systemic localizations indicate that herpes simplex may be considered a systemic disease.
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