[Herpesvirus infections in animals].

Eighty different types of animal herpesviruses are known that affect mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and molluscs. During evolution the viruses adapted to each animal species, and thus interspecies transmission of an infection does not occur. An exception is the Aujeszky virus, which has a wide host spectrum. In addition to morphology and a typical virus-host relationship herpesviruses of man and animals possess such common characteristics that their overall aspects can be viewed. On this basis, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, immunology, therapy and prophylaxis are discussed.