Figure 1.
The Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily consists of four genera. Two of the genera, the Simplexvirus and Varicellovirus, consist of human and veterinary pathogens that establish latency in peripheral neurons. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a simplexvirus, while varicella zoster virus (VZV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV) are varicelloviruses. At least one member of the Iltovirus genus is also proposed to establish latent infections in peripheral neurons (177), but the Mardivirus genus lacks neurotropism.