These include: nectin-2, also known as herpes virus entry-mediator-B or poliovirus receptor-related protein-2, which mediates the entry of HSV into host cells; apolipoprotein E (APOE), particularly its ε4 allele, which besides being a well-estabilished genetic risk factor for AD, has also been shown to influence susceptibility to viral infections and spreading into neuronal cells; translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homolog (TOMM40), whose variations might influence mitochondrial damage induced by HSV DNAase such as UL12.5, and other genes. Here, TOMM40 is linked to Alzheimer disease.