Review article

Herpesviruses and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Adriana Vince
Davorka Dušek

Abstract

Nearly 100 viruses belong to the Herpesviridae
family, but only eight herpesviruses cause infections in
humans. Human herpesviruses are herpes simplex virus type 1
and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr
virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpesvirus 6, 7, and 8
(HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8). The main biological characteristic of herpesviruses is a lifelong latent infection in specifi c target cells,
with possibility of reactivation in immunocompromised patients.
Therefore, human herpseviruses represent an important cause
of morbidity and mortality in different groups of immunocompromised
patients. Sexually transmitted infections are primarily
caused by herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2. Cytomegalovirus,
Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus 8 can be transmitted
sexually, although more rarely than by other routes, but they are
usually not clinically manifested in the urogenital system.

Keywords

herpesviruses; sexually transmitted diseases; HSV-1; HSV-2; EBV; CMV; HHV-8

Hrčak ID:

18166

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/18166

Publication date:

29.12.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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