This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.

Alphaherpesviruses are a fascinating group of DNA viruses that includes important human pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV): the causative agents of cold sores, genital ulcerous disease, and chickenpox/shingles, respectively. A key attribute of these viruses is their ability to establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system of the host. Such persistence requires subversion of the host's immune system and intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms of the immune evasion and what triggers viral reactivation is a major challenge for today's researchers. This has prompted enormous research efforts into understanding the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses. This up-to-date and comprehensive volume aims to distill the most important research in this area providing a timely overview of the field. Topics covered include: transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, translational control, virus entry and capsid assembly, the role of microRNAs in infection and oncolytic vectors for cancer therapy. In addition there is coverage of virus-host interactions, including apoptosis, subversion of host protein quality control and DNA damage response pathways, autophagy, establishment and reactivation from latency, interferon responses, immunity and vaccine development. Essential reading for everyone working with alphaherpesviruses and of interest to all virologists working on latent infections.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has recently estimated that the world equid population exceeds 110 million. Working equids (horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules) remain essential to ensure the livelihood of poor communities around the world. In many developed countries, the equine industry has significant economical weight, with around 7 million horses in Europe alone. The close relationship between humans and equids and the fact that the athlete horse is the terrestrial mammal that travels the most worldwide after humans are important elements to consider in the transmission of pathogens and diseases, amongst equids and to other species. The potential effect of climate change on vector ecology and vector-borne diseases is also of concern for both human and animal health. In this Special Issue, we intend to explore our understanding of a panel of equine viruses, looking at their pathogenicity, their importance in terms of welfare and potential association with diseases, their economic importance and impact on performance, and how their identification can be helped by new technologies and methods.

Interpretation of Equine Laboratory Diagnostics offers a comprehensive approach to equine laboratory diagnostics, including hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. Offers a practical resource for the accurate interpretation of laboratory results, with examples showing real-world applications Covers hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics Introduces the underlying principles of laboratory diagnostics Provides clinically oriented guidance on performing and interpreting laboratory tests Presents a complete reference to establish and new diagnostic procedures Offers a practical resource for the accurate interpretation of laboratory results, with examples showing real-world applications Covers hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, body fluid analysis, microbiology, clinical parasitology, endocrinology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics Introduces the underlying principles of laboratory diagnostics Provides clinically oriented guidance on performing and interpreting laboratory tests Presents a complete reference to established and new diagnostic procedures

Herpes viruses are widely distributed in nature, causing disease in organisms as diverse as bivalves and primates, including humans. Each virus appears to have established a long-standing relationship with its host, and the viruses have the ability to manipulate and control the metabolism of host cells, as well as innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Herpes viruses maintain themselves within hosts in a latent state resulting in virus persistence for years – usually for the life span of the hosts. Herpes viruses comprise a large number of pathogens with diverse cellular targets and biological consequences of infection. What they have in common is their structure and the fact that they establish a dormant (latent) infection in their hosts that usually persists for life. The reviews here will highlight the general principles of herpes virus infection, with equal attention to overall principle and important difference. Also, the cell type- and life-style dependent differences in the establishment and maintenance of virus persistence will be covered.

Virus bioinformatics is evolving and succeeding as an area of research in its own right, representing the interface of virology and computer science. Bioinformatic approaches to investigate viral infections and outbreaks have become central to virology research, and have been successfully used to detect, control, and treat infections of humans and animals. As part of the Third Annual Meeting of the European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), we have published this Special Issue on Virus Bioinformatics.