NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

FACULTY OF BIOSCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BREWING

COURSE TITLE: SEMINAR IN MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

COURSE CODE: AMB 490

TOPIC:
ANTIBIOTICS: HERPES SIMPLEX INFECTION
NAME:
UKANDU, RACHEL NKIRUKA

REGISTRATION NUMBER:
2016484288

SUPERVISOR:
 INTRODUCTION
• Herpes simplex viruses are ubiquitous, host-adapted pathogens that cause a wide variety of
disease states. Two types exist: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2).

• HSV-1 is traditionally associated with orofacial disease, while HSV-2 is traditionally

associated with genital disease.

• HSV-1 causes primarily mouth, throat, face, eye, and central nervous system infections,
whereas HSV-2 causes primarily anogenital infections.

• The prevalence of HSV infection worldwide has increased over the last several decades,
making it a major public health concern. Prompt recognition of herpes simplex infection
and early initiation of therapy are of utmost importance in the management of the disease.
Fig. 1. Structure of Herpes Simplex Virus
Source: (Quinn et al., 2010)
MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF HERPES SIMPLEX INFECTION

• Close contact with a person who is shedding virus at a peripheral site, at a mucosal
surface, or in genital or oral secretions

• Transmission of HSV can occur in infants born to mother excreting HSV at delivery

• Anal and perianal infections with HSV-1 or HSV-2 are common among sexually active
men sex with men (msm) populations
Fig. 2. Pathopysiology of Herpes Simplex Virus
Source: (Kusne et al., 2011)
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF HERPES SIMPLEX
INFECTION

Fig. 3. Clinical Presentation of Herpes Simplex Virus

Source: (Arduino and Porter, 2006)
 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HERPES SIMPLEX INFECTION
• Worldwide rates of either HSV-1 or HSV-2 are between 60 and 95% in adults.

• HSV-1 is more common than HSV-2 with rates increasing with people’s age.

• HSV-1 rates are between 70% and 80% in populations of low socioeconomic status
and 40% to 60% in populations of improved socioeconomic status
DIAGNOSIS OF HERPES SIMPLEX INFECTION

• Diagnostic tests include;

• Culture
• antibodies detection
• skin biopsy, and
• PCR for presence of viral DNA
 TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF HERPES SIMPLEX
INFECTION
Overall, medical treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is centered around
specific antiviral treatment. The drugs includes;
• Penciclovir
• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir and
• Famciclovir

Prevention includes;
• Wearing of latex gloves
• Avoid skin to skin contact with infected individuals and
• Protected sex
 CONCLUSION

Herpes simplex virus(HSV) infections are prevalent worldwide. In the past 20 years a
range of antiviral agents have become available for the treatment of HSV infection, but
while these are usually effective, there is still a risk of emergence of drug-resistant strains,
and there is still no available vaccine for this troublesome viral infection.