Herpes viruses are widely distributed in nature causing disease in organisms as diverse as
bivalves and primates including humans. Each virus appears to have established a long-standing
relationship with its host and the viruses have the ability to manipulate and control the
metabolism of host cells as well as innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Herpes
viruses maintain themselves within hosts in a latent state resulting in virus persistence for
years - usually for the life span of the hosts. Herpes viruses comprise a large number of
pathogens with diverse cellular targets and biological consequences of infection. What they
have in common is their structure and the fact that they establish a dormant (latent) infection
in their hosts that usually persists for life. The reviews here will highlight the general
principles of herpes virus infection with equal attention to overall principle and important
difference. Also the cell type- and life-style dependent differences in the establishment and
maintenance of virus persistence will be covered.
