Description
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2) are human pathogen DNA viruses belonging to the family of Herpesviridae.
Herpes viruses are globally spread. Primary infection can be caused by contact with infected persons (saliva or urogenital secretion), cross-placentally or iatrogenically through transfusions or transplantations. After primary infection, local ganglions show lifelong virus persistence, enabling the reactivation of latent infections. The transmission of Herpes genitalis during delivery can progress subclinically. In most cases it leads to localized or disseminated sepsis-like diseases.
After primary infection, viruses persist in certain cell types (latent cycle) until reactivation (lytic cycle). Reactivation occasionally progresses without symptoms or with low pathology in immunocompetent persons whereas severe clinical complications occur in immunocompromised patients