Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024.
World J Virol. Dec 25, 2024; 13(4): 99070
Published online Dec 25, 2024. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i4.99070
Table 1 Key information on the human herpes virus types, the main target cells, their oral and systemic pathologies
Human herpes virus
Main target cells
Oral pathology
Systemic pathology
HHV-1 and 2 (HSV 1 and 2)Mucoepithelial cells (orofacial and genital tract)Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis. Recurrent herpetic gingivostomatitis. Chronic herpetic gingivostomatitis. Herpes labialis. Increased risk of periodontitisGenital ulcers
HHV-3 (VZV)Mucoepithelial cells and T cells (orofacial and any skin or mucosa of the body)Possible oral vesicles and ulcers, increased risk of periodontitisPrimary infection: Varicella (chicken pocks). Recurrent infection: Herpes zoster (shingles)
HHV-4 (EBV)Mucoepithelial cells and B cellsHairy leukoplakia, leukoplakia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, ulcerations and palatal petechiae, oral lymphoma, increased risk of periodontitisInfectious mononucleosis, lymphoma
HHV-5 (CMV)Monocytes, fibroblasts, lymphocytes and epithelial cellsOral vesicles and ulcers, increased risk of periodontitisInfectious mononucleosis
HHV-6T cells, epithelial cells, monocytes, fibroblasts and moreUnknown
HHV-7T cells, epithelial cells, monocytes, fibroblasts and moreUnknown
HHV-8Not identifiedUlcers and tumorsKaposi’s sarcoma