Figure 3.

HSV into the central nervous system can cause infection of neurons, which is referred to as primary infection. Both viral particles and infected cells can recruit B and T cells. Antibodies produced by B cells can neutralize virus particles, and T cells can exert cytotoxicity to kill infected cells. Due to the similar structure of viral surface antigens to self-tissue, antibodies derived from the primary infection may attack healthy neurons. And cell disintegration leads to self-antigen exposure, induces B cells to produce antibodies, and further attacks self-cells, which is called post-infectious encephalitis or autoimmune encephalitis.