Pathogenesis, Diseases, Immune Response, and Chemotherapy of Genus Simplexvirus

Abstract

Throughout evolution, members of the genus Simplexvirus have evolved a highly effective pathoge¬netic strategy based on biomolecular interactions with pathogen-sensitive biological species. This in turn leads to pathogen-associated recurrent diseases with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including her¬petic encephalitis (HSE), herpetic keratitis (HC), and neonatal herpes, among others. Therapeutic options for the treatment of infections caused by herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) include a wide range of antiviral agents. The most commonly used antiherpetic drugs belong to the group of nucleoside analogs, whose therapeutic potential is based on the inhibition of viral genome replication by interacting with viral DNA polymerase. Of these, the most widely used compound is acyclovir (ACV).