Recrudescence of herpes virus infections following resection of schwannomas. An antiviral role of merlin?

After schwannoma resection, reactivation of herpes infections were reported. Also, IgM antibody titers against Herpes viri increase among 30% of patients, who develop fascial palsy following schwannoma resection. Merlin interacts with p53 pathway and seems to function as a suppressor of viral propagation. Loss of merlin may increase viral particles in nerve fascicles, yet these may fail to cause infections due to immunostimulation by other aberrant antigens present in schwannoma cells. Removal of schwannomas may decrease the antigenic diversity and trigger viral recrudescence. Understanding the viral etiology - molecular merlin interactions in schwannoma tissues may also help to develop strategies against delayed fascial palsy seen following schwannoma resection.