General and Ophthalmic Manifestations of Herpes Virus Infections

• Main Authors: S. V. Sdobnikova, N. A. Тroitskaya, Z. V. Surnina, L. S. Pateyuk
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Ophthalmology Publishing Group 2016-12-01
• Series: Oftalʹmologiâ
• Subjects: herpes viruses; herpes simplex virus; varicella-zoster virus; epstein-barr virus; cytomegalovirus; roseolovirus; uveitis; retinal necrosis; polymerase chain reaction
• Online Access: https://www.ophthalmojournal.com/opht/article/view/331

Herpes viruses are a large group of DNA viruses causing a wide variety of diseases in humans. The exponential growth of medicine in general and advanced achievements of virology in particular authentically verified a wide spectrum of diseases in humans caused by or associated with herpesvirus infections. Eight types of herpes viruses particularly human simplex type 1 and 2, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, roseoloviruses type 6 and 7, and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus were described in the article. This overview highlights the main issues of worldwide epidemiology, basic virology and clinical manifestations of herpes virusesinduced diseases and associated conditions, including general and ophthalmic disorders. Their prevalence in the world accounts for the almost the entire population. The majority human herpes viruses are typically acquired in infancy or early adulthood as a primary disease, and infect neurons, lymphoid or epithelial cells to persist for life and establish a latent infection. Reactivated human herpes viruses may present different clinical pictures and induce a broad spectrum of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic carrier state to recurrent life-threatening conditions and fatal diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients. This review particularly highlights the description of the diseases affecting the eye: anterior and posterior herpes-associated uveitis and acute retinal necrosis. Clinically herpes viruses can manifest in a variety of eye symptoms and signs complicating the diagnosis. Viral DNA in the eye mediums and tissues detection by means of PCR seems to be a challenge for practitioners. Thus, the review of latest research and developments indicate the need for newer diagnostic and management approaches to counter the herpes virus infectious.