Modeling Varicella Zoster Virus Persistence and Reactivation – Closer to Resolving a Perplexing Persistent State

The latent state of the human herpesvirus Varicella zoster virus (VZV) has remained enigmatic and controversial. While it is well substantiated that VZV persistence is established in neurons after the primary infection (varicella or chickenpox), we know little of the types of neurons harboring latent virus genomes, if all can potentially reactivate, what exactly drives the reactivation process, and the role of immunity in the control of latency....