Viral Genome Elimination Targets Damage

This proposed mechanism asks whether removing dormant herpes simplex virus genetic material could reduce recurring damage across an ageing animal's organs after treatment ends. Herpes simplex virus can persist silently in nerve ganglia, clusters of nerve-cell bodies, then reactivate. The hypothesis predicts lasting benefit only in animals with latent infection, meaning infection held inactive, when the virus can no longer reactivate after antiviral treatment has stopped. Infection-free animals should gain no comparable benefit, and reinfection should restore deterioration episodes. Testing requires an animal model that supports reactivation and measures viral genetic material, reactivation, physiology, function and survival.