Which statement best describes the latency sites for HSV-1 and HSV-2?

• A. HSV-1 latent in sacral root ganglia; HSV-2 latent in trigeminal ganglia
• B. HSV-1 latent in trigeminal ganglia; HSV-2 latent in sacral root ganglia
• C. HSV-1 latent in facial nerve; HSV-2 latent in pudendal nerve
• D. HSV-1 latent in dorsal root ganglia; HSV-2 latent in cervical ganglia

Answer: (B)

Latency sites for herpes simplex virus reflect where the initial infection most often occurs: HSV-1 typically colonizes the trigeminal ganglion, the sensory hub for the face and oral region, while HSV-2 commonly establishes latency in the sacral dorsal root (root) ganglia that serve the genital region. This means HSV-1 can reactivate to cause cold sores on the face, and HSV-2 can reactivate to cause genital outbreaks. The statement that HSV-1 is latent in the trigeminal ganglion and HSV-2 in the sacral root ganglia matches this well-established pattern. The other options misplace the latent sites—latency in the facial nerve or pudendal nerve isn’t correct, and assigning HSV-1 to dorsal root or HSV-2 to cervical ganglia doesn’t fit the typical latency pattern.