Human Herpesviruses

This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.

The relationship between herpesviruses and humans probably dates from thousands of years ago. In the last few decades, many aspects of herpesvirus infections have been understood, such as infections with a range of manifestations (severe, mild, or subclinical). Herpesvirus can remain latent during a lifetime and sometimes their reactivation can cause different clinical features in the patient. Several conditions have been related to herpesvirus reactivation such as complications in transplant organ recipients and immune regulatory modification in the elderly. Aspects of human herpesvirus simples, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus are presented and discussed in this book.

Completely revised and updated, Human Herpesviruses HHV-6A, HHV-6B & HHV-7, Third Edition, delivers a contemporary and thorough review of HHV-6, beginning with foundational explorations of classification, molecular biology, and chromosomal integration of the virus, through to clinical details, including pathologic features of infection, and clinical effects on various organ systems. The work now includes coverage of HHV-7, a virus that remains underestimated in transplant reactivation, seizures, and encephalitis. The book examines the role of HHV-6 in myriad diseases, including cognitive disorders following bone marrow transplant, mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disease, encephalitis, Hodgkin's disease lymphoma (HHV-6B), and glioma (HHV-6A). Descriptions of current and novel molecular and serological diagnostic assays, along with detailed protocols, are included to aid researchers and clinicians in discriminating potential false positives originating from chromosomally integrated HHV-6, and in differentiating between active and latent infection. Human Herpesviruses HHV-6A, HHV-6B & HHV-7, Third Edition is a valuable reference for both clinical and basic scientists, including epidemiologists, virologists, practicing clinicians, infectious disease specialists, pathologists, and all scientists entering the field of herpes virus research. The work is a practical and thorough resource for a foundational understanding of HHV-6 and HHV-7, while providing a cutting-edge translational and clinical reference to those looking to understand and diagnose associated viral diseases.

Essential Human Virology, Second Edition focuses on the structure and classification of viruses, virus transmission and virus replication strategies based upon type of viral nucleic acid. Several chapters focus on notable and recognizable viruses and the diseases caused by them, including influenza, HIV, hepatitis viruses, poliovirus, herpesviruses and emerging and dangerous viruses. Additionally, how viruses cause disease (pathogenesis) is highlighted, along with discussions on immune response to viruses, vaccines, anti-viral drugs, gene therapy, the beneficial uses of viruses, research laboratory assays and viral diagnosis assays. Fully revised and updated with new chapters on coronaviruses, nonliving infectious agents, and notable non-human viruses, the book provides students with a solid foundation in virology. Focuses on human diseases and the cellular pathology that viruses cause Highlights current and cutting-edge technology and associated issues Presents real case studies and current news highlights in each chapter Features dynamic illustrations, chapter assessment questions, key terms, and a summary of concepts, as well as an instructor website with lecture slides, a test bank and recommended activities Updated and revised, with new chapters on coronaviruses, nonliving infectious agents, and notable non-human viruses

This book introduces and reviews several topics for each human herpesvirus. One of the most important features of the book is that it covers aspects of both basic research and clinical medicine. Herpesviridae, a family of double-strand DNA viruses, has unique biological features by which these viruses establish latency after primary infection and reactivate in later life. Nine human herpesviruses are known so far, and each of them causes a variety of diseases in both primary infection and reactivation. Since the discovery of each human herpesvirus, an abundance of findings related to them has accumulated in basic research and clinical medicine. However, the vast majority of biological features is still masked in mystery. Furthermore, a strategy of treatment and prevention has not yet been established for most human herpesviruses. A wide range of readers will be interested in this volume with its treatment of problematic points and latest findings in the field.

The present book presents a comprehensive review of Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infects up to 90% of the world’s population and can cause potentially life-threatening diseases. Clinicians typically do not search for HHV-6, and if they do, they will find only few laboratories providing the necessary diagnostic tests that can differentiate between active and latent infection. Adding to this problem is that scientists still disagree about whether serological or molecular assays will be the best diagnostic test, yet there is no disagreement about the inadequacy of many of the currently existing assays. Consequently, our knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis of HHV-6 associated diseases can only come from the combined efforts of clinicians, virologists, molecular biologists and pathologists. It is the prime task of this book to summarize the status quo of HHV-6 research and to further stimulate such a collaboration. It will be a valuable reference for both clinical and basic scientists including epidemiologists, virologists, practicing clinicians and infectiologists, pathologists and essentially all scientists entering the field of herpes virus research.

Six members of the Herpesviridae family are human pathogens, including herpes and 2 (HSV-I and 2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster simplex virus I virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6). Each of these viruses is capable of causing distinct diseases of varying severity in children, young adults, and the aged. The diseases range from infection of epithelial tissue to the infection of internal organs and white blood cells. A common feature of the six pathogenic human herpesviruses is their ability to latently infect different cell types in which the viral DNA is not integrated and is unable to express its pathogenicity. Reactivation of the herpesviruses is a result of cellular processes which reactivate viral genes, leading to virus progeny and to signs of infection. Due to their ability to become latent after initial infection, once the pathogenic herpesviruses infect children they are maintained throughout life, having the potential of cause various diseases upon reactivation.