Comparative Biology of Latent Varicella-Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus Infections

The clinicoepidemiologic features of varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus latency are clearly distinctive. These differences indicate that each virus has evolved a unique strategy to ensure the establishment and maintenance of latency and to reactivate therefrom. Indeed, current data reveal divergent pathogenetic and molecular biologic properties that may account for the clinicoepidemiologic characteristics that distinguish recurrent infections with these herpesviruses.