Mendiola. Leomill O.

January 31, 2017

BMLS 3B

HERPES AND HEPATITIS VIRUS

1. Herpes Virus
A double-stranded DNA, enveloped viruses.
The virion consists of four components, additionally the tegument.
o tegument, an asymmetric structure made of a fibrous-like material, surrounds the
capsid and contains 20 different proteins.
o These proteins enter the host cell upon fusion of the envelope and cell membrane and
initiate the viral replication cycle.
Only Herpes B Virus known to cause infection in humans and the rest infects animals
o It includes HSV types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2),
o varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
o Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
o Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
o (HHV-6), 7 (HHV-7), and 8 (HHV-8) - More recently detected
o HHV-6 and HHV-7 are lymphotropic viruses acquired early in life.
Also associated with the childhood disease roseola.
o Aforementioned above known to cause Acute Encephalitis
o Kaposis sarcomaassociated herpes virus (KSHV)
o HSV 1 and 2 have a shorter replication cycle and the ability to establish latency in the
sensory ganglia
o HSV 1 infection occurs at the oropharyngeal mucosa and cause viral neurotropic
spread thru olfactory bulb.
o HSV-2 infection occurs at genital sites (Women more easily infected).
o Except for neonates, infections are more severe in adults than in children.
o All herpesviruses produce latent infections.
o Sites of latency include leukocytes and peripheral nerves.
o Reactivation may result from physiological stress. The symptoms are
milder than primary infection. The exception is shingles, which is a
reactivation of VZV
LAB DIAGNOSIS
o Cell culture (gold standard)
The herpes lesion may be punctured and the vesicular fluid absorbed with
a swab and must be inoculated for the span of an hour. Froze at -70C for
preservation.
A-549 or MRC-5 is suitable cell lines- produces a rounding, refractile CPE
within 1 to 2 days after inoculation of the cell culture.
o Others (PCR, Direct antigen assay using IF or IP stain, ELISA, Nucleic acid T.)

Varicella Zoster
o as a classic childhood disease, chicken pox, characterized by the appearance of a
maculopapular rash.
o VZV infects the conjunctiva or mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and then travels to
the lymph nodes.
o Primary viremia: After 4 to 6 days infected T cells enter the bloodstream and
o 2ndary viremia: infected T cells invade the liver, spleen, and other organs,
o When the 2dary viremia ensue, it infects cells in the skin, causing the characteristic
vesicular rash (varicella).
The lesions usually crust over in 1 to 2 days but do not resolve for
approximately 3 weeks.
After the acute viral replication in the skin, VZV hides in the Ganglia of CNS and
if its reactivated it is known as Shingles (commonly infects immunocompetent
>45 yo individual)