Herpes Simplex Virus

Introduction

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a DNA virus that causes the condition known as herpes.  Two kinds of HSV exist, including HSV Type I and HSV Type II.  While the clinical signs of HSV-1 and HSV-2 are indistinguishable, the two viruses vary in their genetic information (Spear et al. 2004).  However, both strains will be discussed in this website as they share much of their homology and mode of infection.  HSV Type I can cause lesions and sores on and around the oral cavity, in addition to ocular herpes and encephalitis (Cunningham et al. 2006).  The most common cause of blindness in the United States is due to HSV-1 related corneal disease (Hendricks 1999- from Khanna 2004).  HSV-II results in lesions in genital areas and can markedly increase the risk of acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Cunningham et al. 2006).  HSV-1 affects 60-80% of people, most of whom have contracted the virus in childhood ().  In the United States, approximately 25% of people are infected with HSV-2, and it is one the most common three Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) worldwide (Whitley and Miller 2001).

Lifecycle ~  Innate Immune Response ~  Humoral Immune Response ~ Cellular Immune Response

Evasion of Immune System Detection ~ Treatment and Future Directions  ~ References

Herpes simplex virus in the vulva. Image from http://www.gfmer.ch/selected_images_v2/detail_list.php?cat1=8&cat3=496&stype=d

Jessica Hodge's Immunology Home Page

Davidson College Biology Department

Contact jehodge@davidson.edu with questions or comments.