Dynamic Interplay between Varicelloviruses and their Primate Hosts

Abstract

__Abstract__ Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a ubiquitous human alphaherpesvirus (αHHV). Most individuals become infected with VZV during childhood typically resulting in generalized vesicular skin rash, although a minority of individuals will not develop evident skin rash. During primary infection the virus gains access to ganglia along the entire neuraxis, where it establishes a life-long latent infection of mostly sensory neurons. Due to the long incubation period and restricted host range of the virus, the cell types involved in the dissemination of VZV from the site of primary infection to the virus’ t