Limitations on the Multiplicity of Cellular Infection During Human Alphaherpesvirus Disease

• Published in: Current clinical microbiology reports Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 167 - 174
• Main Authors: Herr, Alix E., Hain, Kyle S., Taylor, Matthew P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.09.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Encephalitis; Genomes; Herpes simplex; Herpes viruses; Infections; Limiting factors; Medical Microbiology; Recurrent infection; Section Editor; Superinfection; Topical Collection on Virology; Varicella; Virology (A Nicola; Herpes simplex; Neuron; Superinfection exclusion; Virion; Infectious spread; Varicella zoster
• ISSN: 2196-5471; 2196-5471
• DOI: 10.1007/s40588-017-0071-9

Purpose of Review Nearly every human is persistently infected with one of three alphaherpesviruses: herpes simplex virus-1, herpes simplex virus-2, and varicella zoster virus. Infection elicits diseases ranging from epithelial lesions to viral encephalitis. Recurrent alphaherpesvirus-associated diseases result from transmission of infection from neurons. The number of viruses that productively infects a cell defines an important property known as the multiplicity of cellular infection (MOCI). The rates at which alphaherpesviruses replicate within cells, spread infection between cells, and elicit recurrent diseases are directly impacted by the MOCI. Recent Findings Several studies have quantified the MOCI during alphaherpesvirus infection. There is evidence that two limiting factors impact various aspects of alphaherpesvirus MOCI and directly affect pathogenesis. Those limitations include a limit on the number of viral genomes that can replicate within a host cell and a limit on cellular superinfection. Summary This review will detail what is known about the limitations that affect MOCI and how it shapes alphaherpesvirus spread and disease.