Question

What is the causative agent of herpes simplex and where are the common places that it is encountered at?

Answer 1

Like all viruses, the herpes simplex virus binds to a cells surface through protein receptors located on the cell membrane. The Herpes simplex virus genome encodes 11 surface glycoproteins which include gC; gC can bind to the complement C3 protein and deplete it from the host’s serum thus inhibiting complement-mediated reactions creating an immune escape. Also gE and gI proteins can bind with the Fc portion of IgG which can coat the virus and therefore be hidden from the immune system. With genital (HSV-2) herpes the virus enters the body through a break in the skin during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The virus then travels through your body and inhabits nerve cells near the spinal cord where they remain in a latency stage until triggered by factor; the virus then travels back down towards the nerve axon and the recurrence of the infection with its symptoms occurs at the same site of the initial infection. Herpes simplex viruses are capable of cell to cell transmission in the presence of humoral antibodies due to syncytia (mass of cytoplasm that is not separated into individual cells) formation between infected cells.

Herpes simplex type 1, which is transmitted through oral secretions or sores on the skin, can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrushes or eating utensils. In general, a person can only get herpes type 2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.\

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