Eight types of herpesviruses infect humans (see table Herpesviruses That Infect Humans). After initial infection, all herpesviruses remain latent within specific host cells and may subsequently reactivate. Clinical syndromes due to primary infection can vary significantly from those caused by reactivation of these viruses. Herpesviruses do not survive long outside a host; thus, transmission usually requires intimate contact. In people with latent infection, the virus can reactivate without causing symptoms; in such cases, asymptomatic shedding occurs and people can transmit infection.
Despite the fact that the herpesviruses are genetically and structurally similar, they cause a wide array of generally non-overlapping clinical syndromes.
In contrast to other herpesviruses that are not known to cause malignancy, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV), can cause certain cancers.
Roseola infantum is a childhood disease caused by herpesvirus 6 (and sometimes 7).
Herpesviruses That Infect Humans
Common Name | Other Name | Typical Manifestations |
|---|---|---|
Herpes simplex virus type 1 | Human herpesvirus 1 | Gingivostomatitis, keratoconjunctivitis, tonsillopharyngitis, cutaneous herpes including herpetic whitlow, genital herpes, herpes labialis, encephalitis, viral meningitis, esophagitis*, pneumonia*, disseminated infection*, hepatitis*† |
Herpes simplex virus type 2 | Human herpesvirus 2 | Oral and genital herpes, cutaneous herpes including herpetic whitlow, gingivostomatitis, tonsillopharyngitis, herpes simplex keratitis, neonatal herpes, viral meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis), disseminated infection*, hepatitis*† |
Varicella-zoster virus | Human herpesvirus 3 | Chickenpox, herpes zoster, disseminated herpes zoster* |
Epstein-Barr virus | Human herpesvirus 4 | Infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, encephalitis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoproliferative syndromes*, oral hairy leukoplakia*, gastric cancer, multiple sclerosis |
Cytomegalovirus | Human herpesvirus 5 | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis, hepatitis, congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease, hepatitis*, retinitis*, pneumonia*, colitis* |
Human herpesvirus 6A and 6B | — | Roseola infantum, otitis media with fever, encephalitis* |
Human herpesvirus 7 | — | |
Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus | Human herpesvirus 8 | Not a known cause of acute illness but has a causative role in Kaposi sarcoma* and AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphomas that grow primarily in the pleural, pericardial, or abdominal cavities as lymphomatous effusions (primary effusion lymphoma) Also linked with some types of multicentric Castleman disease |
* In immunocompromised hosts. | ||
† Uncommonly causes fulminant hepatitis without cutaneous lesions in immunocompromised hosts or pregnant women. | ||
Pharmacologic Treatment of Herpesviruses
Medications Used to Treat Herpesvirus Infections).
Medications Used to Treat Herpesvirus Infections
Medication | Activity | Uses | Adverse Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
Active against (in order of potency) HSV type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, VZV, and EBV Minimal activity against CMV | Oral or IV: IV indicated when a higher serum drug level is required, as for herpes simplex encephalitis | Oral: Infrequent IV: | |
In vitro inhibition of a broad spectrum of viruses, including HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, CMV, EBV, KSHV, adenovirus, HPV, poxviruses, and human polyomavirus (JC and BK viruses) | IV: Generally used for CMV, but use limited by renal toxicity Intravitreal injection: For CMV retinitis | Significant renal toxicity (Fanconi-type syndrome with proteinuria, glucosuria, and bicarbonate wasting) | |
Oral:genital herpes and herpes zoster | Infrequent | ||
IV or intravitreal injection:CMV retinitis | |||
Typically drug of choice for CMV Used in HIV patients with CMV retinitis | IV form: Most common Intravitreal injection: For CMV retinitis Oral: Only 6 to 9% bioavailable; requires 12 capsules/day for a standard dose (1 g tid), limiting its usefulness | Primarily, bone marrow suppression, particularly neutropenia, which sometimes requires treatment* | |
Idoxuridine (no longer available in the United States) | Active against HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, vaccinia, and CMV | Topical: Because of its high systemic toxicity, limited to topical ophthalmic treatment of herpes simplex keratoconjunctivitis | Irritation, pain, photophobia, pruritus, inflammation or edema of the eyelids Rarely, allergic reactions |
Active against CMV | IV or oral: CMV prophylaxis in bone marrow and renal transplant patients | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, peripheral edema, cough, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain | |
Active against CMV | Oral: Used to treat refractory CMV disease | Dysgeusia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting | |
Active against HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and EBV | Topical (cream): Used to treat recurrent herpes labialis in adults | Erythema | |
Active against HSV-1 and HSV-2 | Topical: Ophthalmic treatment of primary keratoconjunctivitis and recurrent keratitis or ulceration caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 (Systemic use precluded by bone marrow suppression) | Ocular stinging, palpebral edema Less commonly, punctate keratitis, allergic reactions | |
Oral: | TTP/HUS in some patients with advanced HIV | ||
Oral: | |||
Vidarabine (adenine arabinoside, ara-A) | HSV infections | IV form not used anymore because of neurotoxicity Ophthalmic preparations: Effective for acute keratoconjunctivitis and recurrent superficial keratitis caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 | Superficial punctate keratitis with tearing, irritation, pain, and photophobia |
* Severe neutropenia (< 500 neutrophils/mcL) may require one of the following:
| |||
CMV =cytomegalovirus; EBV =Epstein-Barr virus; HPV =human papillomavirus; HSV =herpes simplex virus; KSHV =Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus; TTP/HUS = thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome; VZV =varicella-zoster virus. | |||
