Question

Herpes simplex virus maintains latency in

• A. Neuronal cells
• B. Liver cells
• C. Epithelial cells
• D. Kidney cells

Hint:

Herpes simplex viruses are known for their ability to establish latency in neuronal cells and periodically reactivate under certain stimuli such as stress or immunosuppression.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
HSV is a DNA virus that causes infections such as cold sores (HSV-1) or genital herpes (HSV-2). After the initial infection, the virus does not get completely eliminated from the body. 
Step 2: Site of Latency 
The herpes simplex virus remains latent in the sensory neurons, particularly in the dorsal root ganglia (for HSV-2) or trigeminal ganglia (for HSV-1). 
During latency, the viral genome persists in the neuron nucleus as an episome without producing new virions.
Step 3: Reactivation 
Under stress or immunosuppression, the virus can reactivate and travel back along the axons to infect epithelial cells again, causing symptomatic lesions. Hence, the correct answer is: Neuronal cells.