Role of herpes viruses types 4, 6 and 7 in the formation of chronic pain syndromes in children
S. A. Kostiuk,
I. V. Zhevneronok,
A. A. Yemelyanenko,
T. V. Rudenkova,
O. S. Poluyan,
A. K. Lyamtseva,
D. Yu. Tikhonov,
O. V. Zenova,
M. G. Birulina https://doi.org/10.51523/2708-6011.2026-23-1-02
Abstract
Human herpes viruses types 4, 6, and 7 are widespread among children, and possess a unique ability for maintaining lifelong latent persistence with periodic reactivation. This article provides an analytical review of the scientific literature on epidemiology, molecular biology, and clinical manifestations of infections caused by human herpesviruses types 4, 6, and 7, with a focus on their role in formation of chronic pain syndromes in children. The key mechanisms of herpesvirus involvement in the genesis of chronic pain syndromes are induction of chronic systemic and neuroinflammation with production of proinflammatory cytokines; direct neurotropism; maintenance of central sensitization; triggering of autoimmune reactions leading to damage to nerve structures; development of visceral hypersensitivity through molecular mimicry. Human herpes viruses types 4, 6, and 7, when persistent and reactivated by maintaining a state of immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, create a biological basis for the transformation of acute nociceptive pain into nociplastic pain, specific to the formation of chronic pain syndromes in children.
About the Authors
S. A. Kostiuk
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Svetlana A. Kostiuk, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Molecular Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory
Minsk
I. V. Zhevneronok
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Irina V. Zhevneronok, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher at the Scientific Methodology and Evidence-Based Medicine Group
Minsk
A. A. Yemelyanenko
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Anastasia A. Yemelyanenko, Junior Researcher Intern at the Molecular Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
Minsk
T. V. Rudenkova
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Tatiana V. Rudenkova, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher at the Molecular Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory
Minsk
O. S. Poluyan
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Olga S. Poluyan, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher at the Molecular Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory
Minsk
A. K. Lyamtseva
Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of Belarusian State Medical University
Belarus
Belarus
Anna K. Lyamtseva, Junior Researcher at the Molecular Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory
Minsk
D. Yu. Tikhonov
Minsk City Executive Committee
Belarus
Belarus
Dmitry Yu. Tikhonov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Health
Minsk
O. V. Zenova
Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Pervomaisky District of Minsk
Belarus
Belarus
Oksana V. Zenova, Epidemiologist (Head) of the AntiEpidemic Department of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Division
Minsk
M. G. Birulina
Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Pervomaisky District of Minsk
Belarus
Belarus
Marina G. Birulina, Epidemiologist of the Anti-Epidemic Department of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Division
Minsk
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Kostiuk S.A., Zhevneronok I.V., Yemelyanenko A.A., Rudenkova T.V., Poluyan O.S., Lyamtseva A.K., Tikhonov D.Yu., Zenova O.V., Birulina M.G. Role of herpes viruses types 4, 6 and 7 in the formation of chronic pain syndromes in children. Health and Ecology Issues. 2026;23(1):16-27. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.51523/2708-6011.2026-23-1-02
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