Varicella-zoster Virus (VZV) |
VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS
The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the virus responsible for chickenpox and, after a period of latency, shingles.
The varicella-zoster virus is part of a group of viruses called herpesviridae, all with similar nuleic acid type, strategy for replication and morphology. VZV is also part of a subgroup of herpesviridae called alphaherpesviridae along with herpes simplex viruses 1 & 2 (facial and genital herpes respectively). Characteristics of alphaherpesviridae are that they have brief reproductive cycles, infect the nervous system, have efficacious host cell invasion and demolition mechanisms. The host range for this group of viruses varies.
The varicella-zoster virus is part of a group of viruses called herpesviridae, all with similar nuleic acid type, strategy for replication and morphology. VZV is also part of a subgroup of herpesviridae called alphaherpesviridae along with herpes simplex viruses 1 & 2 (facial and genital herpes respectively). Characteristics of alphaherpesviridae are that they have brief reproductive cycles, infect the nervous system, have efficacious host cell invasion and demolition mechanisms. The host range for this group of viruses varies.
Sources:
- Qiu, Xiayang et al. “Crystal Structure of Varicella-Zoster Virus Protease.”Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94.7 (1997): 2874–2879. Print.
- Roizman, Bernard, and Nina Thayer, eds. "Herpesvirus Properties." Herpesvirus Family: Herpesviridae. Los Alamos National Laboratory, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. <http://stdgen.northwestern.edu/stdgen/bacteria/hhv2/herpes.html>