The role of melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) in herpesvirus infection is not well defined, although it was previously reported that human primary macrophages can recognize HSV-1 via MDA5 [5] and that MDA5 exerts antiviral effect on KSHV lytic replication [6]. The gene discussed is IFIH1; the disease is Herpesviridae infectious disease.