Herpesviridae

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).