HERPESVIRUS

Titiek Djannatun
Bagian Mikrobiologi FK Universitas YARSI
 PENDAHULUAN

Insiden meningkat  Inggris, Wales, Ireland, USA

(1995-2000)  Seluruh dunia:
Bertambah padat populasi manusia
Bertambah mobilitas manusia
Kemajuan teknologi  Mengubah perilaku sex
Tidak adanya vaksin untuk sebagian besar STD
 Herpes simpleks dan HIV tersedia
Kondom  melindungi
Orang yang tidak disirkumsisi  Resiko tinggi
Infeksi Gonorrhoea  Mudah terkena Herpes
genital
 VIRUS PENYEBAB STD
ORGANISME PENYAKIT KETERANGAN TERAPI

PAPILLOMAVIRUS (Tipe Genital Warts, Paling sering  Kanker Podophylin, Cryotherapy

6 & 11  Genital Warts) Dysplasia servix, Kanker penis, dll

Herpes Simplex virus Genital Herpes Meningkat  Masalah Aciclovir, valaciclovir,

tipe 1 dan 2 laten dan reaktivasi Famciclovir

HIV AIDS Insiden meningkat di Nukleosida, Nukleotida, Non-

seluruh dunia Nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors, Fusi
inhibitors, Protease inhibitors

Virus Hepatitis B Hepatitis 300 Juta carrier di seluruh Lamivudin, Adefovir, IFN α
dunia
Congenital, Perinatal, and Neonatal Viral
Infections
Intrauterine Viral Infections Perinatal and Neonatal Infections

Rubella Human Herpes Simplex

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) VZV
Parvovirus B19 Cytomegalovirus (CMV
Varicella-Zoster (VZV) Enteroviruses
Enteroviruses HIV
HIV Hepatitis B
HTLV-1 Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C HTLV-1
Hepatitis B
Lassa Fever
Japanese Encephalitis
 STRATEGI VIRUS MELAWAN
PERTAHANAN HOSPES
PERTAHANAN STRATEGI VIRUS CONTOH
HOSPES

Urine flow (untuk infeksi Infeksi sel epitel atau sub Herpes Simplex virus
uretra) epitel uretra

Inflamasi Merangsang respon inflamasi Herpes Simplex virus

kuat

Cell Mediated Immune Variasi antigenik, disertai Papillomavirus

Response (Sel T, Limfokin, reinfeksi
Sel NK, dll) Variasi antigenik diantara HIV
individu
Faktor yang tidak diketahui  HIV
Sebabkan respon CMI tidak
egektif F
 Properties of herpesviruses
 Enveloped double stranded DNA viruses.
 Genome consisits of long and short fragments which may be orientated
in either direction, giving a total of 4 isomers.
 Three subfamilies:
– Alphaherpesviruses - HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV
– Betaherpesviruses - CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7
– Gammaherpesviruses - EBV, HHV-8
 Set up latent or persistent infection following primary infection
 Reactivation are more likely to take place during periods of
immunosuppression
 Both primary infection and reactivation are likely to be more serious in
immunocompromised patients.
 Herpesvirus Particle

HSV-2 virus particle. Note that all

herpesviruses have identical
morphology and cannot be
distinguished from each other
under electron microscopy.

(Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town, S.A.)

Viral Latency
Alphaherpesvirus Lesions
Alphaherpesvirus Lesions
Herpes Simplex
Viruses
 Properties
• Belong to the alphaherpesvirus subfamily of
herpesviruses
• Double stranded DNA enveloped virus with a
genome of around 150 kb
• The genome of HSV-1 and HSV-2 share 50 - 70%
homology.
• They also share several cross-reactive epitopes
with each other. There is also antigenic cross-
reaction with VZV.
• Man is the only natural host for HSV.
 Epidemiology (1)
• HSV is spread by contact, as the virus is shed in saliva,
tears, genital and other secretions.
• By far the most common form of infection results from a
kiss given to a child or adult from a person shedding the
virus.
• Primary infection is usually trivial or subclinical in most
individuals. It is a disease mainly of very young children
ie. those below 5 years.
• There are 2 peaks of incidence, the first at 0 - 5 years and
the second in the late teens, when sexual activity
commences.
• About 10% of the population acquires HSV infection
through the genital route and the risk is concentrated in
young adulthood.
 Epidemiology (2)
• Generally HSV-1 causes infection above the belt and
HSV-2 below the belt. In fact, 40% of clinical isolates
from genital sores are HSV-1, and 5% of strains isolated
from the facial area are HSV-2. This data is complicated
by oral sexual practices.
• Following primary infection, 45% of orally infected
individuals and 60% of patients with genital herpes will
experience recurrences.
• The actual frequency of recurrences varies widely between
individuals. The mean number of episodes per year is
about 1.6.
 HERPES GENITAL

Tersebar di seluruh dunia

Banyak inang
Replikasi pada banyak jenis sel
Infeksi pada organ genital ibu  neonatus
Siklus pertumbuhannya 8 – 16 jam
Sering pada orang dengan gangguan immunitas
Disebabkan infeksi virus Herpes simpleks-2
Herpes simpleks – 1  ???
HSV-1 dan HSV-2  berbeda secara biologik dan antigenik
Terdapat sedikit imunitas silang
Dapat ditemukan oral dan genital
SIFAT-SIFAT PENTING VIRUS HERPES
VIirion  Bulat, Diameter 150-200nm, kapsid
ikosahedral
Genom  DNA untai ganda, Linier, BM 95-150 juta,
124-235 kbp, urutan diulang
Protein  Lebih 35 protein dalam virion
Selubung  Glikoprotein, Reseptor Fc
Replikasi Inti, bertunas di membran inti
Ciri khas Mengkode banyak enzim; Infeksi laten,
bertahan secara tak terbatas pada hospes terinfeksi,
Diaktifkan kembali bila fungsi imunnya tertekan
INFEKSI RECURRENT  komplikasi kesehatan
berbahaya; beberapa menyebabkan kanker
REPLIKASI VIRUS HERPES
 KLASIFIKASI VIRUS HERPES MANUSIA
SUBFAMILIA CONTOH
SIFAT BIOLOGIK

SIKLUS SITOPATOLO INFEKSI GENUS NAMA NAMA UMUM

PERTUMBUH GI LATEN KHUSUS
AN
Alfaherpesvirinae Pendek Sitolitik saraf SIMPLEX Herpesvirus HSV – 1
1 manusia
Herpesvirus HSV – 2
2 manusia
VARICELLO Herpesvirus Varisela -
3 manusia Zooster

Betaherpesvirinae Panjang sitomegalik Kelenjar, CYTOMEGA Herpesvirus Sitomegalovir

ginjal LO 5 manusia us

Jaringan ROSEOLO Herpesvirus Herpesvirus 6

limfoid 61 manusia manusia
Herpesvirus Herpesvirus
71 manusia 7 manusia
Gamaherpesvirina Variasi limfoprolifer Jaringan LYMPHOC Herpesvirus Virus Epstein
e atif limfoid RYPTO 4 manusia barr
Rhadino Herpesvirus Herpesvirus
81 manusia 8 manusia

1 SULIT DIKLASIFIKASI, VIRUS MENGINFEKSI LIMFOSIT, TETAPI GENOM MENYERUPAI SITOMEGALOVIRUS

PERBANDINGAN HSV-1 DAN HSV-2

CIRI KHAS HSV-1 HSV-2

BIOKIMIA
Komposisi dasar DNA virus (Guanin –
Sitosin) 67% 69%
Densitas Berat Jenis DNA (g / cm3) 1,726 1,728
Densitas Berat Jenis virion (g / cm3) 1,271 1,267
Homologi antara virus DNAs - 50% - 50%

BIOLOGIK
Reservoir atau vektor hewan Tidak ada Tidak ada
Lokasi bentuk laten Ganglion trigeminal Ganglia sakral

EPIDEMIOLOGIK
Usia infeksi primer Anak kecil Dewasa muda
Penularan Kontak (Sering air Seksual
liur )
PERBANDINGAN HSV-1 DAN HSV-2
Ciri khas Hsv-1 Hsv-2
KLINIK
Infeksi primer
Gingivostomatitis + -
Faringotonsilitis + -
Keratokonjungtivitis + -
Infeksi neonatus +

INFEKSI KAMBUHAN
Lesi dingin, DEemam lepuh + -
Keratitis + -

INFEKSI PRIMER ATAU KAMBUHAN

Herpes Kutaneus
Kulit sebelah atas pinggang + -
Kulit sebelah bawah pinggang - +
Lengan atau tangan + +
Herpes Whitlow + +
Eksema Herpetikum + -
Herpes Genital +
Ensefalitis Herpes + -
Meningitis Herpes +
 Pathogenesis
• During the primary infection, HSV spreads locally and a
short-lived viraemia occurs, whereby the virus is
disseminated in the body. Spread to the to craniospinal
ganglia occurs.
• The virus then establishes latency in the craniospinal ganglia.
• The exact mechanism of latency is not known, it may be true
latency where there is no viral replication or viral persistence
where there is a low level of viral replication.
• Reactivation - It is well known that many triggers can
provoke a recurrence. These include physical or
psychological stress, infection; especially pneumococcal and
meningococcal, fever, irradiation; including sunlight, and
menstruation.
 PATOGENESIS

HSV  Infeksi sitolitik  Nekrosis sel + Peradangan  Mirip

dengan Varicella Zooster
Perubahan Histopat  Pembengkakan sel , Pembentukan
Badan Inklusi COWDRY TIPE A, Pembentukan sel Raksasa
berinti banyak
Cairan edema (Vesikuler) menumpuk diantara lapisan
epidermis dan dermis  Berisi sel yang bebas virus, sisa sel
radang
Di kulit  Cairan tersebut diabsorpsi membentuk keropeng 
Sembuh tanpa jaringan parut
Pada sel mukosa  Vesikel pecah membentuk ulkus yang
dangkal
Herpes neonatal  Cuffyng perivaskuler dan daerah nekrosis
hemorrhagik
 PATOGENESIS

HSV-1 dan HSV-2  Aseptik meningitis dan

ensefalitis pada orang dewasa

Herpes neonatus  75% HSV-2  ditularkan dari ibu

penderita ke anak melalui jalan kelahiran  Untuk
menghindar  Bedah Caecar

Herpes Neonatus :
Lokalisasi lesi pada kulit, mata, mulut
Ensefalitis dengan atau tanpa lesi kulit
Neonatal Disseminated Herpes  Organ–organ
dan SSP
 INFEKSI PRIMER

Port D’Entry  Kulit atau mukosa yang luka

HSV-1  Orofaring (Terutama pada anak-anak) dan Cold sores
(Virus reaktif  Virus menyebar melalui droplet/air liur
HSV-2  Veneral route (Seksual)  Infeksi primer  Ujung
saraf  Akar ganglion  Laten sampai akhir hidupnya 
Teraktivasi  Virus mengikuti jalannya axon kembali ke perifer
 Berkembang biak di kulit dan sel mukosa ( Infeksi laten) 
Infeksi tidak begitu luas karena respon imunitas
HSV-2  Lesi genital primer pada penis/ vulva (3-7 hari setelah
infeksi)  Ulcer yang sakit  Lymfonoduli lokal bengkak +
demam, Sakit kepala, malaise  2 minggu sembuh  Laten
(Dorsal akar ganglion saraf)  Reaktivasi  Lesi Recurrent
(Genital Cold sores)
 Clinical Manifestations
HSV is involved in a variety of clinical manifestations
which includes ;-
1. Acute gingivostomatitis
2. Herpes Labialis (cold sore)
3. Ocular Herpes
4. Herpes Genitalis
5. Other forms of cutaneous herpes
7. Meningitis
8. Encephalitis
9. Neonatal herpes
 Oral-facial Herpes
• Acute Gingivostomatitis
– Acute gingivostomatitis is the commonest manifestation of primary
herpetic infection.
– The patient experiences pain and bleeding of the gums. 1 - 8 mm
ulcers with necrotic bases are present. Neck glands are commonly
enlarged accompanied by fever.
– Usually a self limiting disease which lasts around 13 days.
• Herpes labialis (cold sore)
– Following primary infection, 45% of orally infected individuals will
experience reactivation. The actual frequency of recurrences varies
widely between individuals.
– Herpes labialis (cold sore) is a recurrence of oral HSV.
– A prodrome of tingling, warmth or itching at the site usually heralds the
recurrence. About 12 hours later, redness appears followed by papules
and then vesicles.
Gingivostomatitis
 Ocular Herpes
HSV causes a broad spectrum of ocular disease,
ranging from mild superficial lesions involving the
external eye, to severe sight-threatening diseases
of the inner eye. Diseases caused include the
following:-
– Primary HSV keratitis – dendritic ulcers
– Recurrent HSV keratitis
– HSV conjunctivitis
– Iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis and cataract
 Genital Herpes
• Genital lesions may be primary, recurrent or initial.
• Many sites can be involved which includes the penis, vagina, cervix,
anus, vulva, bladder, the sacral nerve routes, the spinal and the
meninges. The lesions of genital herpes are particularly prone to
secondary bacterial infection eg. S.aureus, Streptococcus, Trichomonas
and Candida Albicans.
• Dysuria is a common complaint, in severe cases, there may be urinary
retention.
• Local sensory nerves may be involved leading to the development of a
radiculitis. A mild meningitis may be present.
• 60% of patients with genital herpes will experience recurrences.
Recurrent lesions in the perianal area tend to be more numerous and
persists longer than their oral HSV-1 counterparts.
 Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
• Herpes Simplex encephalitis is one of the most serious
complications of herpes simplex disease. There are two
forms:
• Neonatal – there is global involvement and the brain is
almost liquefied. The mortality rate approaches 100%.
• Focal disease – the temporal lobe is most commonly
affected. This form of the disease appears in children and
adults. It is possible that many of these cases arise from
reactivation of virus. The mortality rate is high (70%)
without treatment.
• It is of utmost importance to make a diagnosis of HSE
early. It is general practice that IV acyclovir is given in all
cases of suspected HSE before laboratory results are
available.
 Neonatal Herpes Simplex (1)
• Incidence of neonatal HSV infection varies inexplicably
from country to country e.g. from 1 in 4000 live births in
the U.S. to 1 in 10000 live births in the UK
• The baby is usually infected perinatally during passage
through the birth canal.
• Premature rupturing of the membranes is a well recognized
risk factor.
• The risk of perinatal transmission is greatest when there is
a florid primary infection in the mother.
• There is an appreciably smaller risk from recurrent lesions
in the mother, probably because of the lower viral load and
the presence of specific antibody
• The baby may also be infected from other sources such as
oral lesions from the mother or a herpetic whitlow in a
nurse.
 Neonatal Herpes Simplex (2)
• The spectrum of neonatal HSV infection varies from a
mild disease localized to the skin to a fatal disseminated
infection.
• Infection is particularly dangerous in premature infants.
• Where dissemination occurs, the organs most commonly
involved are the liver, adrenals and the brain.
• Where the brain is involved, the prognosis is particularly
severe. The encephalitis is global and of such severity that
the brain may be liquefied.
• A large proportion of survivors of neonatal HSV infection
have residual disabilities.
• Acyclovir should be promptly given in all suspected cases
of neonatal HSV infection.
• The only means of prevention is to offer caesarean section
to mothers with florid genital HSV lesions.
 Other Manifestations
• Disseminated herpes simplex are much more likely to
occur in immunocompromised individuals. The widespread
vesicular resembles that of chickenpox. Many organs other
than the skin may be involved e.g. liver, spleen, lungs, and
CNS.
• Other cutaneous manifestations include
– eczema herpeticum which is potentially a serious
disease that occurs in patients with eczema.
– Herpetic whitlow which arise from implantation of the
virus into the skin and typically affect the fingers.
– “zosteriform herpes simplex". This is a rare presentation
of herpes simplex where HSV lesions appear in a
dermatomal distribution similar to herpes zoster.
HERPES PADA HERPES PADA
PRIA WANITA
 Laboratory Diagnosis

• Direct Detection
– Electron microscopy of vesicle fluid - rapid result but cannot
distinguish between HSV and VZV
– Immunofluorescence of skin scrappings - can distinguish
between HSV and VZV
– PCR - now used routinely for the diagnosis of herpes simple
encephalitis
• Virus Isolation
– HSV-1 and HSV-2 are among the easiest viruses to cultivate. It
usually takes only 1 - 5 days for a result to be available.
• Serology
– Not that useful in the acute phase because it takes 1-2 weeks for
before antibodies appear after infection. Used to document to
recent infection.
Cytopathic Effect of HSV in cell Positive immunofluorescence test for
culture: Note the ballooning of HSV antigen in epithelial cell.
cells. (Linda Stannard, University (Virology Laboratory, New-Yale Haven
of Cape Town, S.A.) Hospital)
 Management
At present, there are only a few indications of antiviral chemotherapy, with the
high cost of antiviral drugs being a main consideration. Generally, antiviral
chemotherapy is indicated where the primary infection is especially severe, where
there is dissemination, where sight is threatened, and herpes simplex encephalitis.

Acyclovir – this the drug of choice for most situations at present. It is available in
a number of formulations:-
• I.V. (HSV infection in normal and immunocompromised patients)
• Oral (treatment and long term suppression of mucocutaneous herpes and
prophylaxis of HSV in immunocompromised patients)
• Cream (HSV infection of the skin and mucous membranes)
• Ophthalmic ointment
• Famciclovir and valacyclovir – oral only, more expensive than acyclovir.
• Other older agents – e.g. idoxuridine, trifluorothymidine, Vidarabine (ara-
A).
• These agents are highly toxic and is suitable for topical use for opthalmic
infection only
 DIAGNOSA DAN TERAPI HERPES
GENITAL
Isolasi virus dari cairan vesikel/swab ulcer  FAT (Antibodi
monoklonal)
Typing  Type differentiation
CPE  1-2 Hari Post inoculation  Degenerasi sel berbentuk
busa dan Giant cell
Serologi  Antibodi terbentuk setelah 4-7 hari infeksi 
ELISA, RIA, Immunofluoresensi
Antibodi meningkat 2-4 minggu setelah infeksi
Terapi:
Pada kasus dengan komplikasi sistemik  Aciclovir (IV)
Cegah Recurrent attacks  6-12 bulan Aciclovir dosis
rendah
Varicella- Zooster
Virus
 Properties

• Belong to the alphaherpesvirus subfamily of

herpesviruses
• Double stranded DNA enveloped virus
• Genome size 125 kbp, long and short fragments
with a total of 4 isometric forms.
• One antigenic serotype only, although there is
some cross reaction with HSV.
 Epidemiology
• Primary varicella is an endemic disease. Varicella
is one of the classic diseases of childhood, with
the highest prevalence occurring in the 4 - 10
years old age group.
• Varicella is highly communicable, with an attack
rate of 90% in close contacts.
• Most people become infected before adulthood but
10% of young adults remain susceptible.
• Herpes zooster, in contrast, occurs sporadically
and evenly throughout the year.
 Pathogenesis
• The virus is thought to gain entry via the respiratory tract
and spreads shortly after to the lymphoid system.
• After an incubation period of 14 days, the virus arrives at
its main target organ, the skin.
• Following the primary infection, the virus remains latent in
the cerebral or posterior root ganglia. In 10 - 20% of
individuals, a single recurrent infection occurs after several
decades.
• The virus reactivates in the ganglion and tracks down the
sensory nerve to the area of the skin innervated by the
nerve, producing a varicellaform rash in the distribution of
a dermatome.
 Varicella
• Primary infection results in varicella (chickenpox)
• Incubation period of 14-21 days
• Presents fever, lymphadadenopathy. a widespread vesicular rash.
• The features are so characteristic that a diagnosis can usually be made
on clinical grounds alone.
• Complications are rare but occurs more frequently and with greater
severity in adults and immunocompromised patients.
• Most common complication is secondary bacterial infection of the
vesicles.
• Severe complications which may be life threatening include viral
pneumonia, encephalititis, and haemorrhagic chickenpox.
 VESICULAR/PUSTULAR RASH DISEASES

DISEASE CHICKENPOX SMALLPOX

Causative organism(s) Human herpesvirus 3 Variola virus

(Varicella zooster virus)

Most common modes of Droplet contact, inhalation of Droplet contact, indirect

transmission aerolised lesion fluid contact

Virulence factors Ability to fuse cells, Ability to Ability to dampen, Avoid to

remain latent in ganglia immune response

Culture/ Diagnosis Based Largely on clinical Based Largely on clinical

appearance appearance
Prevention Live Attenuated Vaccine Live Virus Vaccine (Vaccinia
virus)
Tretment None in uncomplicated cases, -
Acyclovir for high risk

Distinguishing teature No fever prodome, Lesions Fever precedes rash, Lesions

are superficial, In centripetal are deep and in centrifugal
distribution (Move in center of distribution (more on
body) extremites)
Rash of Chickenpox
 Herpes Zooster (Shingles)
• Herpes Zooster mainly affect a single dermatome of the skin.
• It may occur at any age but the vast majority of patients are more than
50 years of age.
• The latent virus reactivates in a sensory ganglion and tracks down the
sensory nerve to the appropriate segment.
• There is a characteristic eruption of vesicles in the dermatome which is
often accompanied by intensive pain which may last for months
(postherpetic neuralgia)
• Herpes zoster affecting the eye and face may pose great problems.
• As with varicella, herpes zooster in a far greater problem in
immunocompromised patients in whom the reactivation occurs earlier
in life and multiple attacks occur as well as complications.
• Complications are rare and include encephalitis and disseminated
herpes zoster.
Shingles
Maculopapular Rash
Maculopapular rash due to Herpes zoster in a child
with a history of leukemia (Courtesy of the CDC)
 Congenital VZV Infection
• 90% of pregnant women already immune, therefore
primary infection is rare during pregnancy.
• Primary infection during pregnancy carries a greater risk
of severe disease, in particular pneumonia.

First 20 weeks of Pregnancy

• Up to 3% chance of transmission to the fetus, recognised
congenital varicella syndrome;
– Scarring of skin
– Hypoplasia of limbs
– CNS and eye defects
– Death in infancy normal
 Neonatal Varicella
• VZV can cross the placenta in the late stages of pregnancy to
infect the fetus congenitally.
• Neonatal varicella may vary from a mild disease to a fatal
disseminated infection.
• If rash in mother occurs more than 1 week before delivery,
then sufficient immunity would have been transferred to the
fetus.
• Zoster immunoglobulin should be given to susceptible pregnant
women who had contact with suspected cases of varicella.
• Zoster immunoglobulin should also be given to infants whose
mothers develop varicella during the last 7 days of pregnancy
or the first 14 days after delivery.
 Laboratory Diagnosis
The clinical presentations of varicella or zoster are so
characteristic that laboratory confirmation is rarely required.
Laboratory diagnosis is required only for atypical
presentations, particularly in the immunocompromised.
– Virus Isolation - rarely carried out as it requires 2-3
weeks for a results.
– Direct detection - electron microscopy may be used for
vesicle fluids but cannot distinguish between HSV and
VZV. Immunofluorescense on skin scrappings can
distinguish between the two.
– Serology - the presence of VZV IgG is indicative of past
infection and immunity. The presence of IgM is
indicative of recent primary infection.
 Cytopathic Effect of VZV

Cytopathic Effect of VZV in cell culture: Note the ballooning of cells. (Coutesy of
Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town, S.A.)
 Management
• Uncomplicated varicella is a self limited disease and requires no
specific treatment. However, acyclovir had been shown to accelerate
the resolution of the disease and is prescribed by some doctors.
• Acyclovir should be given promptly immunocompromised individuals
with varicella infection and normal individuals with serious
complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.
• herpes zoster in a healthy individual is not normally a cause for
concern. The main problem is the management of the postherpetic
neuralgia.
• The International Herpes Management Forum recommends that
antiviral therapy should be offered routinely to all patients over 50
years of age presenting with herpes zoster.
• Three drugs can be used for the treatment of herpes zoster: acyclovir,
valicyclovir, and famciclovir. There appears to be little difference in
efficacy between them.
 Prevention
• Preventive measures should be considered for individuals at risk of
contracting severe varicella infection e.g. leukaemic children,
neonates, and pregnant women
• Where urgent protection is needed, passive immunization should be
given. Zooster immunoglobulin (ZIG) is the preparation of choice but
it is very expensive. Where ZIG is not available, HNIG should be
given instead.
• A live attenuated vaccine is available. There had been great reluctance
to use it in the past, especially in immunocompromised individuals
since the vaccine virus can become latent and reactivate later on.
• However, recent data suggests that the vaccine is safe, even in children
with leukaemia provided that they are in remission.
• It is highly debatable whether universal vaccination should be offered
since chickenpox and shingles are normally mild diseases.
Cytomegalovirus
 Properties
• Belong to the betaherpesvirus subfamily of
herpesviruses
• double stranded DNA enveloped virus
• Nucleocapsid 105nm in diameter, 162 capsomers
• The structure of the genome of CMV is similar
to other herpesviruses, consisting of long and
short segments which may be orientated in either
direction, giving a total of 4 isomers.
• A large no. of proteins are encoded for, the
precise number is unknown.
 Epidemiology
• CMV is one of the most successful human pathogens, it can
be transmitted vertically or horizontally usually with little
effect on the host.
• Transmission may occur in utero, perinatally or postnatally.
Once infected, the person carries the virus for life which may
be activated from time to time, during which infectious
virions appear in the urine and the saliva.
• Reactivation can also lead to vertical transmission. It is also
possible for people who have experienced primary infection
to be reinfected with another or the same strain of CMV, this
reinfection does not differ clinically from reactivation.
• In developed countries with a high standard of hygiene, 40%
of adolescents are infected and ultimately 70% of the
population is infected. In developing countries, over 90% of
people are ultimately infected.
 Pathogenesis
• Once infected, the virus remains in the person for life and
my be reactivated from time to time, especially in
immunocompromised individuals.
• The virus may be transmitted in utero, perinatally, or
postnatally. Perinatal transmission occurs.
• Perinatal infection is acquired mainly through infected
genital secretions, or breast milk. Overall, 2 - 10% of
infants are infected by the age of 6 months worldwide.
Perinatal infection is thought to be 10 times more common
than congenital infection.
• Postnatal infection mainly occurs through saliva. Sexual
transmission may occur as well as through blood and blood
products and transplanted organ.
 Clinical Manifestations
• Congenital infection - may result in cytomegalic inclusion
disease
• Perinatal infection - usually asymptomatic
• Postnatal infection - usually asymptomatic. However, in a
minority of cases, the syndrome of infectious
mononucleosis may develop which consists of fever,
lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. The heterophil
antibody test is negative although atypical lymphocytes
may be found in the blood.
• Immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients
and AIDS patients are prone to severe CMV disease such
as pneumonitis, retinitis, colitis, and encephalopathy.
• Reactivation or reinfection with CMV is usually
asymptomatic except in immunocompromised patients.
 Congenital Infection
• Defined as the isolation of CMV from the saliva or urine
within 3 weeks of birth.
• Commonest congenital viral infection, affects 0.3 - 1% of all
live births. The second most common cause of mental
handicap after Down's syndrome and is responsible for
more cases of congenital damage than rubella.
• Transmission to the fetus may occur following primary
or recurrent CMV infection. 40% chance of transmission to
the fetus following a primary infection.
• May be transmitted to the fetus during all stages of
pregnancy.
• No evidence of teratogenecity, damage to the fetus results
from destruction of target cells once they are formed.
 Cytomegalic Inclusion Disease
• CNS abnormalities - microcephaly, mental retardation, spasticity,
epilepsy, periventricular calcification.
• Eye - choroidoretinitis and optic atrophy
• Ear - sensorineural deafness
• Liver - hepatosplenomegaly and jaundice which is due to
hepatitis.
• Lung - pneumonitis
• Heart - myocarditis
• Thrombocytopenic purpura, Haemolytic anaemia
• Late sequelae in individuals asymptomatic at birth - hearing
defects and reduced intelligence.
 Incidence of Cytomegalic Disease
U.S.A. U.K.

No. of live births p.a. 3,000,000 700,000

Rate of congenital CMV 1% 0.3%

No. of infected infants 30,000 2100

Symptomatic at birth (5 - 10% ) 1,500-3,000 105

Fatal disease (~ 20% ) 300-600 22

No. with sequelae (90% of survivors) 1080-2160 83

Asymptomatic (90 - 95% ) 27000 1995

No. with late sequelae 1350-4550 315

 Laboratory Diagnosis (1)
• Direct detection
– biopsy specimens may be examined
histologically for CMV inclusion antibodies or
for the presence of CMV antigens. However,
the sensitivity may be low.
– The pp65 CMV antigenaemia test is now
routinely used for the rapid diagnosis of CMV
infection in immunocompromised patients.
– PCR for CMV-DNA is used in some centers
but there may be problems with interpretation.
CMV pp65 antigenaemia test

(Virology Laboratory, New-Yale Haven Hospital)

 Laboratory Diagnosis (2)
• Virus Isolation
– conventional cell culture is regarded as gold standard
but requires up to 4 weeks for result.
– More useful are rapid culture methods such as the
DEAFF test which can provide a result in 24-48 hours.
• Serology
– the presence of CMV IgG antibody indicates past
infection.
– The detection of IgM is indicative of primary infection
although it may also be found in immunocompromised
patients with reactivation.
Cytopathic Effect of CMV

(Courtesy of Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town, S.A.)

DEAFF test for CMV

(Virology Laboratory, New-Yale Haven Hospital)

 Specimens for Laboratory Diagnosis

Site for virus culture Serology

Urine Saliva Blood Tissue affected IgG IgM

Neonates + + - - - +

Adults + - + - + +

Pregnant women - - - - + +

Immunocompromised + + + + + -
 Treatment
• Congenital infections - it is not usually possible to detect
congenital infection unless the mother has symptoms of
primary infection. If so, then the mother should be told of
the chances of her baby having cytomegalic inclusion
disease and perhaps offered the choice of an abortion.
• Perinatal and postnatal infection - it is usually not
necessary to treat such patients.
• Immunocompromised patients - it is necessary to make a
diagnosis of CMV infection early and give prompt
antiviral therapy. Anti-CMV agents in current use are
ganciclovir, forscarnet, and cidofovir.
 Prevention
• No licensed vaccine is available. There is a candidate live
attenuated vaccine known as the Towne strain but there are
concerns about administering a live vaccine which could
become latent and reactivates.
• Prevention of CMV disease in transplant recipients is a
very complicated subject and varies from center to center.
It may include the following measures.
– Screening and matching the CMV status of the donor
and recipient
– Use of CMV negative blood for transfusions
– Administration of CMV immunoglobulin to
seronegative recipients prior to transplant
– Give antiviral agents such as acyclovir and ganciclovir
prophylactically.
Epstein-Barr Virus
 Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
• Belong to the gammaherpesvirus subfamily of
herpesviruses
• Nucleocapsid 100 nm in diameter, with 162 capsomers
• Membrane is derived by budding of immature particles
through cell membrane and is required for infectivity.
• Genome is a linear double stranded DNA molecule
with 172 kbp
• The viral genome does not normally integrate into the
cellular DNA but forms circular episomes which reside
in the nucleus.
• The genome is large enough to code for 100 - 200
proteins but only a few have been identified.
 Epidemiology
• Two epidemiological patterns are seen with EBV.
• In developed countries, 2 peaks of infection are
seen : the first in very young preschool children
aged 1 - 6 and the second in adolescents and
young adults aged 14 - 20 Eventually 80-90% of
adults are infected.
• In developing countries, infection occurs at a
much earlier age so that by the age of two, 90% of
children are seropositive.
• The virus is transmitted by contact with saliva, in
particularly through kissing.
 Pathogenesis
• Once infected, a lifelong carrier state develops whereby a
low grade infection is kept in check by the immune
defenses.
• Low grade virus replication and shedding can be
demonstrated in the epithelial cells of the pharynx of all
seropositive individuals.
• EBV is able to immortalize B-lymphocytes in vitro and in
vivo
• Furthermore a few EBV-immortalized B-cells can be
demonstrated in the circulation which are continually
cleared by immune surveillance mechanisms.
• EBV is associated with several very different diseases
where it may act directly or one of several co-factors.
 Disease Association
1. Infectious Mononucleosis
2. Burkitt's lymphoma
3. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
4. Lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma in the
immunosuppressed.
5. X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome
6. Chronic infectious mononucleosis
7. Oral leukoplakia in AIDS patients
8. Chronic interstitial pneumonitis in AIDS patients.
 Infectious Mononuclosis
• Primary EBV infection is usually subclinical in childhood. However in
adolescents and adults, there is a 50% chance that the syndrome of
infectious mononucleosis (IM) will develop.
• IM is usually a self-limited disease which consists of fever,
lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In some patients jaundice may be
seen which is due to hepatitis. Atypical lymphocytes are present in the
blood.
• Complications occur rarely but may be serious e.g. splenic rupture,
meningoencephalitis, and pharyngeal obstruction.
• In some patients, chronic IM may occur where eventually the patient
dies of lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma.
• Diagnosis of IM is usually made by the heterophil antibody test and/or
detection of EBV IgM.
• There is no specific treatment.
 Burkitt’s Lymphoma (1)
• Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) occurs endemically in parts of
Africa (where it is the commonest childhood tumour) and
Papua New Guinea. It usually occurs in children aged 3-
14 years. It respond favorably to chemotherapy.
• It is restricted to areas with holoendemic malaria.
Therefore it appears that malaria infection is a cofactor.
• Multiple copies of EBV genome and some EBV antigens
can be found in BL cells and patients with BL have high
titres of antibodies against various EBV antigens.
 Burkitt’s Lymphoma (2)
• BL cells show a reciprocal translocation between the long arm of
chromosome 8 and chromosomes 14, 2 or 22.
• This translocation result in the c-myc oncogene being transferred to
the Immunoglobulin gene regions. This results in the deregulation of
the c-myc gene. It is thought that this translocation is probably
already present by the time of EBV infection and is not caused by
EBV.
• Sporadic cases of BL occur, especially in AIDS patients which may
or may not be associated with EBV.
• In theory BL can be controlled by the eradication of malaria (as has
happened in Papua New Guinea) or vaccination against EBV.
 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumour of the
squamous epithelium of the nasopharynx. It is very prevalent in S.
China, where it is the commonest tumour in men and the second
commonest in women.
• The tumour is rare in most parts of the world, though pockets occur in
N. and C. Africa, Malaysia, Alaska, and Iceland.
• Multiple copies of EBV genome and EBV EBNA-1 antigen can be
found in cells of undifferentiated NPC. Patients with NPC have high
titres of antibodies against various EBV antigens.
• Besides EBV there appears to be a number of environmental and
genetic cofactors in NPC.
• NPC usually presents late and thus the prognosis is poor.
• In theory NPC can be prevented by vaccination.
 Immunocompromised Patients

• After primary infection, EBV maintains a steady low grade latent

infection in the body. Should the person become immunocompromised,
the virus will reactivate. In a few cases, lymphoproliferative lesions and
lymphoma may develop. These lesions tend to be extranodal and in
unusual sites such as the GI tract or the CNS.
• Transplant recipients e.g. renal - EBV is associated with the development
of lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma.
• AIDS patients - EBV is associated with oral leukoplakia and with
various Non-Hodgekin’s lymphoma.
• Ducan X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome - this condition occurs
exclusively in males who had inherited a defective gene in the X-
chromosome . This condition accounts for half of the fatal cases of IM.
 Diagnosis
• Acute EBV infection is usually made by the heterophil antibody
test and/or detection of anti-EBV VCA IgM.
• Cases of Burkitt’s lymphoma should be diagnosed by histology.
The tumour can be stained with antibodies to lambda light chains
which should reveal a monoclonal tumour of B-cell origin. In over
90% of cases, the cells express IgM at the cell surface.
• Cases of NPC should be diagnosed by histology.
• The determination of the titre of anti-EBV VCA IgA in screening
for early lesions of NPC and also for monitoring treatment.
• A patient with with non-specific ENT symptoms who have
elevated titres of EBV IgA should be given a thorough
examination.
 Vaccination
• A vaccine against EBV which prevents primary EBV infection
should be able to control both BL and NPC.
• Such a vaccine must be given early in life. Such a vaccine would
also be useful in seronegative organ transplant recipients and those
developing severe IM, such as the male offspring of X-linked
proliferative syndrome carriers.
• The vaccine should not preferably be a subunit vaccine since there
is a danger that a live vaccine may still have tumorigenic
properties.
• The antigen chosen for vaccine development is the MA antigen gp
340/220 as antibodies against this antigen are virus neutralizing.
• This vaccine is being tried in Africa.
Other Human Herpes
Viruses
 Properties of HHV-6 and 7
• Belong to the betaherpesvirus subfamily of
herpesviruses
• Double stranded DNA genome of 170 kbp
• The main target cell is the T-lymphocyte, although B-
lymphocytes may also be infected.
• HHV-6 and HHV-7 share limited nucleotide homology
and antigenic cross-reactivity.
• It is thought that HHV-6 and HHV-7 are related to each
other in a similar manner to HSV-1 and HSV-2.
 Epidemiology and Pathogenesis
• HHV-6 and HHV-7 are ubiquitous and are found
worldwide.
• They are transmitted mainly through contact with saliva
and through breast feeding.
• HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection are acquired rapidly after the
age of 4 months when the effect of maternal antibody
wears off.
• By the time of adulthood, 90-99% of the population had
been infected by both viruses.
• Like other herpesviruses, HHV-6 and HHV-7 remains
latent in the body after primary infection and reactivates
from time to time.
 Clinical Manifestations (1)
• Primary HHV-6 infection is associated with
Roseala Infantum, which is a classical disease of
childhood.
• Most cases occur in infants between the ages of 4
months and two years.
• A spiking fever develops over a period of 2 days
followed by a mild rash. The fever is high enough
to cause febrile convulsions.
• There are reports that the disease may be
complicated by encephalitis.
 Clinical Manifestations (2)
• If primary infection is delayed until adulthood, there is a
small chance that an infectious mononucleosis-like
disease may develop in a similar manner to EBV and
CMV.
• There is no firm evidence linking HHV-6 to lymphomas
or lymphoproliferative diseases.
• There is no firm disease association with HHV-7 at
present.
• Although both viruses may be reactivated in
immunocompromised patients, it is yet uncertain whether
they cause significant disease since CMV is almost
invariably present.
Roseala Infantum
 Diagnosis and Management

• Rosela Infantum has a very characteristic presentation and

a diagnosis can usually be made on clinical grounds alone.
• Therefore very few virology laboratories offer a
diagnostic service for HHV-6 or HHV-7 infection.
• The technique for virus isolation is complicated and thus
not practicable as a routine diagnostic procedure.
• Therefore serology is the mainstay of diagnosis where
specific IgM and IgG are detected.
• There is no specific antiviral treatment for HHV-6
infection.
 Human Herpes Virus 8
• Belong to the gammaherpesviruses subfamily of herpesviruses
• Originally isolated from cells of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)
• Now appears to be firmly associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma as well as
some lesser known malignancies such as Castleman’s disease and
primary effusion lymphomas
• HHV-8 DNA is found in almost 100% of cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Most patients with KS have antibodies against HHV-8
• The seroprevalence of HHV-8 is low among the general population but
is high in groups of individuals susceptible to KS, such as
homosexuals.
• Unlike other herpesviruses, HHV-8 does not have a ubiquitous
distribution.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma