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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
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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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Pathogenesis and virulence of herpes simplex virus
Shuyong Zhu1, Abel Viejo-Borbolla1
1Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (Exc 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Virulence
|October 22, 2021
Summary
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cause various diseases by evading immune responses and establishing latency. Understanding HSV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens causing diverse diseases.
- HSV employs immune evasion strategies and establishes lifelong latency in neurons.
- Host genetic variations influence disease severity and susceptibility to HSV infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the HSV life cycle, including lytic and latent replication phases.
- To examine the complex interplay between HSV and the human immune system.
- To discuss key pathologies: herpes stromal keratitis, herpes simplex encephalitis, and genital herpes, and potential links to Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HSV life cycle, immunology, and pathogenesis.
- Analysis of viral mechanisms for immune evasion and latency establishment.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on HSV-associated diseases and potential neurological links.
Main Results:
- HSV-1 and HSV-2 exhibit distinct replication strategies (lytic and latent) and immune evasion tactics.
- Immune responses are crucial for controlling HSV but can also drive disease pathogenesis.
- HSV latency and reactivation mechanisms remain incompletely understood, with host factors playing a role.
Conclusions:
- HSV pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving viral strategies, host immunity, and genetic predisposition.
- Further research is needed to elucidate HSV latency, reactivation, and its potential role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
- Comprehensive understanding of HSV biology is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies against associated diseases.
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