Herpesvirus

Abstract

The herpes family of viruses is associated with a large number of infectious diseases, including some types of cancer, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma and with sexually transmitted diseases such as genital blisters. (HSV-2), and chickenpox. The virus can exist in an active phase or latent phase, and can manifest itself in different forms and pathological situations. Chickenpox can reappear many years later as shingles, in particular when the immune system is compromised. Epstein Barr-virus infection can lead to various cancers depending on environmental and genetic factors, and in the lytic form as mononucleosis. Burkitt’s lymphoma is confined to areas of Africa with high malaria prevalence and is characterized at the genetic level by a gene translocation. HSV-8 infection results in Kaposi sarcoma and is found in individuals suffering from AIDS, although now recognized as a cancer in non-AIDS populations in Africa. There has been a dramatic increase in genital herpes during the last few years.