Herpes Viruses

Question 1

What are the three subfamilies of herpesviruses and their scientific names?

Answer 1

Alphaherpesvirinae: Human herpesvirus 1 (HSV-1), Human herpesvirus 2 (HSV-2), Human herpesvirus 3 (VZV). Betaherpesvirinae: Human herpesvirus 5 (CMV), Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). Gammaherpesvirinae: Human herpesvirus 4 (EBV), Human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV).

Question 2

What is the site of latency for HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV?

Answer 2

Neurons.

Question 3

What are the major diseases caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)?

Answer 3

Infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hairy leukoplakia.

Question 4

How is the Tzanck smear used in herpesvirus diagnosis?

Answer 4

Cells from the base of the vesicle are stained with Giemsa stain. The presence of multinucleated giant cells suggests herpesvirus infection type 1+2.

Question 5

What are the primary and recurrent forms of VZV infection?

Answer 5

Primary disease: Varicella (chickenpox). Recurrent form: Zoster (shingles).

Question 6

What is the hallmark of CMV infection in tissue biopsies?

Answer 6

Inclusion bodies (owl’s eye appearance).

Question 7

What is the difference between heterophil test results for EBV and CMV?

Answer 7

EBV: Heterophil positive. CMV: Heterophil negative.

Question 8

Which herpesviruses are associated with malignancies? Name the cancers.

Answer 8

EBV: Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma. KSHV (HHV-8): Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, multicentric Castleman disease.

Question 9

What are the common treatments for HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV infections?

Answer 9

Acyclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir.

Question 10

What triggers herpesvirus reactivation from latency?

Answer 10

Fever, emotional or physical injury, exposure to UV light.