Herpes simplex virus type 1

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is an enveloped DNA virus that commonly infects oral tissues, establishes lifelong latency in sensory neurons, and can sometimes cause encephalitis.

Viral latency: A state in which a virus persists in host cells with limited gene expression and no production of infectious particles. HSV-1 persists in sensory neurons between recurrences by maintaining its genome in a latent state.
Herpesviridae: A family of enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses that establish persistent or latent infections in hosts. HSV-1 belongs to this family of persistent human viruses.
Polymerase chain reaction: A laboratory method that amplifies selected DNA sequences for detection and analysis. PCR of cerebrospinal fluid is the main test for HSV encephalitis.
Herpes simplex virus type 2: A herpesvirus that commonly causes genital infection and can also infect oral tissues. HSV-2 is the closely related virus most often contrasted with HSV-1.
Trigeminal ganglion: A sensory ganglion containing the cell bodies of neurons that transmit sensation from the face. HSV-1 commonly remains latent in its neurons after oral infection.
Herpes simplex virus: A pair of related human herpesviruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2, that cause oral and genital infections. HSV-1 is one member of this two-virus group.
Cerebrospinal fluid: The clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Testing this fluid for HSV-1 DNA helps diagnose encephalitis.
Varicella-zoster virus: A herpesvirus that causes chickenpox during primary infection and shingles after reactivation. Like HSV-1, it establishes neuronal latency, but causes different characteristic diseases.
Anterograde transport: Movement of cellular materials from a neuron's cell body toward its axon terminals. Reactivated HSV-1 uses neuronal transport to return toward peripheral tissues.
Double-stranded DNA virus: A virus whose genome consists of two complementary strands of DNA. HSV-1 stores its genetic information in a large double-stranded DNA genome.

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