Herpesvirus Classification

Herpesviruses have an icosahedral capsid made up of capsomers that contain linear double-stranded DNA. A lipid envelope containing peplomers envelops it. These viruses are known to cause infections in humans and other animals. Here, let’s have a look at the classification of the herpesvirus.

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Herpesvirus Classification

Herpesviruses are a member of the herpesviridae family, which has three subfamilies. This family includes several DNA viruses that can develop lytic or latent infections that last their entire lives and permits periodic reactivation.

Herpesviridae

Herpesviridae is a vast family of DNA viruses that result in infections, frequently accompanied by blisters. These infections affect both humans and other animals. Herpesvirus infections can be lytic or latent. Nine different herpesvirus kinds have been identified as primarily infecting humans out of a total of more than 130 herpes viruses.

Classification of Herpesviruses

Subfamily

Common Name

Scientific Name

Alphaherpesvirinae

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1

Human alphaherpesvirus 1

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2

Human alphaherpesvirus 2

Varicella-zoster virus

Human alphaherpesvirus 3

Betaherpesvirinae

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 5

Human beta herpesvirus 5

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6

Human betaherpesvirus 6A

Human betaherpesvirus 6B

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 7

Human betaherpesvirus 7

Gammaherpesvirinae

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated virus (HHV8)

Human gammaherpesvirus 8

EB or Epstein-Barr virus (HHV 4)

Human gammaherpesvirus 4

These are the nine known herpesviruses that mostly infect humans.

Also Check: Herpes Simplex

Alphaherpesvirinae

The primary way that they differ from other Herpesviridae subfamilies is by reproducing more quickly. The herpes simplex viruses (HSV) of this subfamily can only exist in humans who are the only natural host. Type 1 and type 2 HSV are the two varieties. HSV type 1 is typically linked to oral and ocular illnesses, whereas type 2 is in charge of most genital infections.

Betaherpesvirinae

This subfamily consists of 26 species, distributed among 5 genera. The herpesvirus family’s largest and most host-specific virus belongs to the genus Cytomegalovirus (HHV-5). The genus Roseolovirus includes the HHV-6 and HHV-7.

Gammaherpesvirinae

Gammaherpesvirinae viruses differ from those in other Herpesviridae subfamilies in that they reproduce at a more variable rate. This subfamily contains 43 species, distributed among 7 genera. This subfamily is linked to HHV-4, which causes infectious mononucleosis and HHV-8 which causes Kaposi’s sarcoma.

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Virus Life Cycle

Difference between Virus and Bacteria

Difference between Virus and Virion

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

How do herpesviruses affect the immune system?

Herpesviruses can manipulate the immune system in a variety of ways. The production of a protein that mimics human interleukin 10 and the downregulation of the MHC II or major histocompatibility complex II in infected cells are two examples of how this is done.
Q2

What are the infections caused by HSV-1?

HSV-1 mostly causes infections leading to ocular or oral lesions. Some of the infections caused by HSV type 1 are – herpes labialis, keratoconjunctivitis, acute gingivostomatitis, encephalitis and eczema herpeticum.
Q3

What are the infections caused by HSV-2?

HSV type 2 is mostly responsible for genital infections. Some of the infections caused by HSV-2 are neonatal herpes, genital herpes and aseptic meningitis.
Q4

What is varicella-zoster?

Herpes zoster and varicella (chickenpox) are brought on by a single virus and it is named as varicella-zoster virus or VZV. While chickenpox is mainly a childhood disease, herpes zoster is an old age disease that commonly affects those who have had chickenpox several years before.
Q5

What is Epstein-Barr virus?

The Epstein-Barr virus is connected with Burkitt’s lymphoma and has a preference for lymphoid tissue. It is also best known for being the cause of glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis.