Herpesviruses and Associated Diseases, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3383

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: gene; infectious diseases; herpesviruses; pharmacology and toxicology; molecular medicine; oncology and hematology; cardiovascular diseases; natural products; drug discovery; analytical and bioanalytical techniques
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to delving into the complex world of herpesviruses and their associated diseases. Herpesviruses represent a diverse family of DNA viruses known for their ability to establish lifelong infections in their hosts, posing significant challenges to public health worldwide. These viruses are ubiquitous pathogens that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans and other animals. The family Herpesviridae comprises three subfamilies: Alphaherpesvirinae, Betaherpesvirinae, and Gammaherpesvirinae, each with distinct biological properties and associated diseases. The clinical spectrum of diseases caused by herpesviruses is broad, ranging from mild, self-limiting conditions to severe, life-threatening illnesses. Herpesvirus infections can affect various organ systems, including the skin, mucous membranes, central nervous system, and visceral organs, resulting in manifestations such as oral and genital ulcers, encephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and certain types of cancer. Despite advances in molecular virology and immunology, many aspects of herpesvirus biology and pathogenesis remain not fully understood. Factors contributing to the complexity of herpesvirus infections include viral latency and reactivation, immune evasion strategies, host genetics, and environmental influences. Furthermore, the development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies against herpesviruses remains a significant challenge, underscoring the need for continued research efforts in this field.

In this Special Issue, we aim to assemble a collection of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives from leading experts in the field of virology and infectious diseases. These contributions aim to deepen our understanding of herpesvirus–host interactions, identify novel therapeutic targets, and explore innovative approaches for the prevention and control of herpesvirus-associated diseases.

Dr. Sherif T.S. Hassan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • human herpesviruses
  • animal herpesviruses
  • viral latency and reactivation
  • immune evasion strategies
  • herpesvirus–host interactions
  • herpesvirus biology and pathogenesis
  • herpesvirus diagnosis
  • environmental factors
  • herpesvirus-associated diseases
  • prevention and treatment strategies
  • antiviral therapies
  • vaccine development

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1028 KB  
Article
Validated Quantification of HHV-8 DNA Using Inter-Convertible Plasmid and Cell-Derived Calibrators: Optimization of a Whole-Blood qPCR Assay
by Celeste Luján Pérez, Carlos Ochoa Gamboa, Mónica Tous, Julián Hazan, Marcelo Rodríguez, Daniela Feliciotti, Lucía Irazu and Carlos Zala
Viruses 2026, 18(5), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18050578 - 21 May 2026
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Abstract
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and KS-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS-KS). Quantifying HHV-8 DNA in whole blood is clinically relevant, yet laboratory practices remain heterogeneous. Here, we [...] Read more.
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and KS-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS-KS). Quantifying HHV-8 DNA in whole blood is clinically relevant, yet laboratory practices remain heterogeneous. Here, we developed and validated an in-house quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting ORF26, optimized for whole blood. Assay calibration used plasmid, BCBL-1 cell–derived, and commercial HHV-8 DNA standards. Analytical validation was performed following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines and showed a 95% limit of detection of 65.7 copies/reaction, efficiencies of 90–101% (R2 > 0.99), and intra/inter-assay coefficients of variation < 6.5%. Strong correlations were observed among the three calibrators (R2 > 0.97).Clinical validation against a composite reference yielded 100% sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. Viral loads (log10 copies/mL) varied by clinical condition: classic KS and transplant-associated KS showed the lowest medians (2.30–2.23), MCD HIV− and PEL intermediate values (2.83–3.72), and epidemic KS, MCD HIV+, and IRIS-KS the highest (4.12, 4.86, and 5.03, respectively). Viremia > 5 log10 copies/mL was associated with uncontrolled E-KS, MCD HIV+, and IRIS-KS. Longitudinal follow-up revealed viral load decline paralleled clinical improvement. This validated assay provides a robust, affordable tool for HHV-8 quantification in whole blood and supports its integration into diagnostic workflows and patient monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesviruses and Associated Diseases, 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 2626 KB  
Brief Report
Aujeszky’s Disease in a Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) in Poland
by Wojciech Wójcik, Anna Didkowska, Blanka Orłowska, Sabina Nowak, Bartosz Sell, Krzysztof Anusz, Florian Pfaff and Bernd Hoffmann
Viruses 2026, 18(4), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18040449 - 8 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by suid herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus, PRV), is a highly contagious infection primarily affecting swine, with wild boars serving as an important reservoir in Europe. Spillover infections in non-suid species, including carnivores, are rare but typically fatal and of [...] Read more.
Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by suid herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus, PRV), is a highly contagious infection primarily affecting swine, with wild boars serving as an important reservoir in Europe. Spillover infections in non-suid species, including carnivores, are rare but typically fatal and of epidemiological concern. This study presents the first case of AD in a grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Central Europe with genomic characterization. The 8-month-old wolf was found in the Carpathians (SE Poland), moribund with acute neurological signs, and euthanized for animal welfare reasons. Necropsy revealed no pathognomonic gross lesions. Molecular analyses of tissues confirmed the presence of PRV DNA using real-time PCR, and virus isolation was successful. Genomic analysis revealed that the PRV isolate clustered within genotype I, the predominant circulating genotype in Europe. However, due to the limited availability of reference PRV genome sequences from European wildlife, the precise geographic origin and transmission pathways of this strain could not be fully resolved. In the presented case, wild boars were considered a possible source of infection. This highlights the potential for PRV transmission to apex predators. This study emphasizes the importance of systematic surveillance of PRV in wildlife and the need for expanded genomic databases of PRV strains. Full-genome sequencing is crucial for improving the understanding of PRV transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesviruses and Associated Diseases, 2nd Edition)
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