Developments in genital herpes: progress in prevention and treatment

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Genital herpes is a significant global health concern caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2).
• Over four billion people are infected worldwide, impacting all age groups.
• Understanding epidemiology, viral lifecycle, and immune protection is crucial for control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in genital herpes research.
• To highlight new vaccine development strategies.
• To explore potential future therapeutic approaches for a cure.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific publications.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on HSV-1 and HSV-2.
• Evaluation of current and emerging vaccine and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• HSV-1 is increasingly the cause of new genital herpes infections globally, surpassing HSV-2.
• While HSV-1 causes fewer recurrences than HSV-2, both pose risks for perinatal transmission and neonatal disease.
• Current antivirals may face resistance, and prior vaccine trials suggest neutralizing antibodies alone are insufficient for protection.

Conclusions:

• Genital herpes infections establish latency with potential for neurologic complications.
• Molecular diagnostics reveal more frequent reactivation than previously thought.
• Novel approaches for prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure for genital herpes are urgently required.