Herpesviruses and Associated Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to delving into the complex world of herpesviruses and their associated diseases. Herpesviruses represent a diverse family of DNA viruses known for their ability to establish lifelong infections in their hosts, posing significant challenges to public health worldwide. These viruses are ubiquitous pathogens that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans and other animals. The family Herpesviridae comprises three subfamilies: Alphaherpesvirinae, Betaherpesvirinae, and Gammaherpesvirinae, each with distinct biological properties and associated diseases. The clinical spectrum of diseases caused by herpesviruses is broad, ranging from mild, self-limiting conditions to severe, life-threatening illnesses. Herpesvirus infections can affect various organ systems, including the skin, mucous membranes, central nervous system, and visceral organs, resulting in manifestations such as oral and genital ulcers, encephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and certain types of cancer. Despite advances in molecular virology and immunology, many aspects of herpesvirus biology and pathogenesis remain not fully understood. Factors contributing to the complexity of herpesvirus infections include viral latency and reactivation, immune evasion strategies, host genetics, and environmental influences. Furthermore, the development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies against herpesviruses remains a significant challenge, underscoring the need for continued research efforts in this field.

In this Special Issue, we aim to assemble a collection of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives from leading experts in the field of virology and infectious diseases. These contributions aim to deepen our understanding of herpesvirus–host interactions, identify novel therapeutic targets, and explore innovative approaches for the prevention and control of herpesvirus-associated diseases.

Dr. Sherif T. S. Hassan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• human herpesviruses
• animal herpesviruses
• viral latency and reactivation
• immune evasion strategies
• herpesvirus–host interactions
• herpesvirus biology and pathogenesis
• herpesvirus diagnosis
• environmental factors
• herpesvirus-associated diseases
• prevention and treatment strategies
• antiviral therapies
• vaccine development