Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is ubiquitous, neurotropic, and the most common pathogenic cause of sporadic acute encephalitis in humans. Herpes simplex encephalitis is associated with a high mortality rate and significant neurological, neuropsychological, and neurobehavioral sequels. HSV-1 infects limbic system structures in the central nervous system (CNS), and has been suggested as an environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The possibility that HSV-1 reactivates in CNS neurons causing chronic progressive damage at cellular level and altering the neuronal functionality has not been thoroughly investigated. Currently it is ignored if recurrent reactivation of HSV-1 in asymptomatic patients involves some risk of progressive deterioration of the CNS functions caused, in example, by a neuroinflammatory response against the virus or by direct toxicity of the pathogen on neurons. Therefore, studies regarding the routes of dissemination of HSV-1 from the peripheral ganglions to the CNS, as well as the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms implied in generating neuronal damage during latent and productive infection, are of much relevance.
Highlights
La familia Herpesviridae, se encuentra ampliamente diseminada en la naturaleza
Una característica que distingue a los herpesvirus, es su capacidad para establecer infecciones persistentes latentes en el hospedero infectado, estado en el cual el genoma viral se encuentra en forma episomal en el núcleo de la célula infectada, con una expresión limitada de genes específicos para el mantenimiento del estado de latencia
A pesar de que los riesgos que conlleva esta infección actualmente son subestimados, los estudios emergentes que asocian procesos de neurodegeneración con infección por Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) avalan la conveniencia de realizar acciones preventivas tales como una mejor educación de la población acerca de las formas de minimizar el contagio y las ventajas de realizar un diagnóstico oportuno y terapias antivirales adecuadas
Summary
La familia Herpesviridae, se encuentra ampliamente diseminada en la naturaleza. Existen más de 100 tipos diferentes de herpesvirus, los que presentan la misma estructura, ADN lineal de doble hebra dentro de una cápside icosaédrica, rodeada por un tegumento proteico y cubierto por una envoltura lipídica (Figura 1)[1,2]. Este tipo de infección se piensa que constituye una estrategia viral para evadir su detección por parte del sistema inmune.
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