Human herpesviruses and neurological disorders of childhood.

The human herpesviruses, a group of DNA viruses that includes herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpes viruses types 6, 7, and 8, cause substantial neurological morbidity among infants and children. This review describes the biology of these viruses and summarizes the clinical manifestations and therapy of the diseases that result from childhood infection with these important pathogens.