Medical Definition of Herpeteviridae
1.
A group of large DNA viruses: Herpes simplex causes cold sores and genital herpes, Varicella zoster causes chicken pox and shingles, cytomegalovirus causes congenital abnormalities and is an opportunistic pathogen, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) causes glandular fever. Herpes simplex type 2 and EBV are associated with human tumours (cervical carcinoma for the former and Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the case of EBV). Herpes simplex establishes a lifelong latent infection of sensory neurons in human dorsal root ganglia and has a tendency to resurgence if the immune system is suppressed (causing shingles).
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Herpeteviridae
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