HSV Latency Site — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyMicrobiologyHSV Latency SiteMFDS Part 1

Following primary orolabial infection, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latency predominantly in which structure?

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Correct answer: E — Trigeminal ganglion

The correct answer is E, the trigeminal ganglion. Following primary HSV-1 replication in the orofacial epithelium, the virus enters sensory nerve endings and establishes lifelong latency in sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion. Reactivation can subsequently lead to recurrent infection at an innervated peripheral site, such as herpes labialis. Oral epithelial cells are the principal site of productive lytic replication rather than the usual reservoir of neuronal latency. Salivary gland acinar cells, cervical lymph nodes and tonsils are not the characteristic sites of lifelong latency for orofacial HSV-1.

Reference: Antony F, Kinha D, Nowińska A, et al. The immunobiology of corneal HSV-1 infection and herpetic stromal keratitis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2024;37(3):e00006-24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39078136/