Herpesvirus

There are more than 100 known herpesviruses, 8 routinely infect only humans: herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6 (variants A and B), human herpesvirus 7, and Kaposi's sarcoma virus or human herpesvirus 8. All herpesviruses can establish latent infection within specific tissues, which are characteristic for each virus.

Herpesvirus also infect livestock, such as Pseudorabies virus (PRV). It is an important nervous system tropic pathogen in livestock and infects a variety of mammalian species, including ruminants, carnivores, rodents and pigs (the natural host of PRV). Highly pathogenic PRV caused severe epidemics and economic losses.