MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF HERPES-SIMPLEX-VIRUS - 1 - LATENCY, REACTIVATION, AND RECURRENCE

The application of molecular biology in the study of the pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has led to significant advances in our understanding of mechanisms that regulate virus behavior in se nsory neurons and epithelial tissue. Such study has provided insight i nto the relationship of host and viral factors that regulate latency, reactivation, and recurrent disease. This review attempts to distill d ecades of information involving human, animal, and cell culture studie s of HSV-1 with the goal of correlating molecular events with the clin ical and laboratory behavior of the virus during latency, reactivation , and recurrent disease. The purpose of such an attempt is to acquaint the clinician/scientist with the current thinking in the field, and t o provide key references upon which current opinions rest.