Herpes virus: Once infected – always infected

Herpes viruses lie dormant in the body and can be reactivated by certain circumstances. The herpes virus HCMV is particularly widespread, yet despite its impact, well-tolerated and effective antiviral drugs or vaccinations do not exist. However, a team of researchers from FMP and Charité has now found out a lot about the interaction between HCMV and its host cells, which could also be useful for the development of antiviral agents. The paper has just been published in the journal Nature Microbiology. Herpes viruses are treacherous: once you are infected, you can never get rid of the virus. This is because herpes viruses lie dormant in certain host cells in the body for a lifetime. Almost every adult unknowingly carries at least one of the nine different human herpes viruses. The virus can be reactivated due to age, stress or a weakened immune system and lead to sometimes severe diseases. Herpes viruses are...