Herpeszvírus
Herpeszvírus, or herpesviruses, constitute a large family of enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses that infect humans and many other animals. They share the ability to establish latent infections in host cells and to reactivate, causing recurrent disease. The family is divided into three subfamilies: Alphaherpesvirinae (including herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and varicella‑zoster virus, VZV), Betaherpesvirinae (cytomegalovirus, CMV; and HHV-6 and HHV-7), and Gammaherpesvirinae (Epstein–Barr virus, EBV; and Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus, HHV-8). In humans, eight herpesviruses are commonly recognised (HHV-1 to HHV-8). Transmission occurs through close contact, saliva, sexual contact, respiratory droplets, or from mother to child.
Virions are large, enveloped particles with a icosahedral capsid containing linear double-stranded DNA. Replication occurs in
Clinical impact ranges from asymptomatic infections to serious disease. HSV-1/2 cause oral and genital lesions; VZV