The Herpesviruses

'You damn sadist/said mr cummings 'you try to make people think. ' -Ezra Pound (Canto 89) What makes herpesviruses unique? It is certainly not the size of their genomes or the individual features of their reproductive cycle, although in toto striking features that are exclusive to the herpesviruses abound. Unquestionably, the pre-eminent feature is the relationship of herpes­ viruses with their natural hosts. As described in preceding volumes, all herpesviruses seem to be able to colonize and t