herpes
Lower interleukin-2 and higher serum tumor necrosis factor-a levels are associated with perimenstrual, recurrent, facial Herpes simplex infection in young women.

Mysliwska J, Trzonkowski P, Bryl E, Lukaszuk K, Mysliwski A.

Department of Histology and Immunology, Medical University of Gdanesk, ul. D6ebinki 1, 80-210 Gdanesk, Poland. jolmys amg.gda.pl

The aim of this study was to look at a possible relationship between the recurrent perimenstrual dermatosis - facial Herpes simplex infection and the serum concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Twenty-one volunteers (19-26 year olds) were examined at five points of the menstrual cycle. Ten volunteers were characterised by recurrent Herpes simplex infection lasting either from the 18th or the 25th day of the menstrual cycle until a few days after menstruation. Eleven young women without symptoms formed the control group. Both groups were similar as regards blood levels of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. The group with the frequent infectious symptoms was characterised, however, by lower concentrations of IL-2 throughout the whole menstrual cycle, as compared to those without the symptoms. Levels of IL-2 in this group additionally dropped significantly on the 18th and on 25th day of the cycle. Moreover, the group with symptoms was characterised by higher level of TNF-alpha on the 18th day. These changes were found during the menstrual cycle of the women with recurrent herpes infection who however, at the time of the examination were free of the clinical symptoms. There was a similar tendency in both groups towards an increase in the levels of TNF-a around menstruation. Measurement of the other serum pro-inflammatory marker - IL-6 showed higher levels of this cytokine during the menstrual cycle in the group with the clinical symptoms. The results indicate that a decrease of IL-2 together with an increase of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the serum seem to be related to recurrent perimenstrual Herpes simplex infection.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11022124&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Alphaherpes virus proteins related to herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP0 affect cellular structures and proteins.

Parkinson J, Everett RD.

MRC Virology Unit, Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland, United Kingdom. j.parkinson vir.gla.ac.uk

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early protein ICP0 interacts with several cellular proteins and induces the proteasome-dependent degradation of others during infection. In this study we show that ICP0 is required for the proteasome-dependent degradation of the ND10 protein Sp100 and, as with the other target proteins, the ICP0 RING finger domain is essential. Further, comparison of the kinetics and ICP0 domain requirements for the degradation of PMI and Sp100 suggests that a common mechanism is involved. Homologues of ICP0 are encoded by other members of the alphaherpes virus family. These proteins show strong sequence homology to ICP0 within the RING finger domain but limited similarity elsewhere. Using transfection assays, we have shown that all the ICP0 homologues that we tested have significant effects on the immunofluorescence staining character of at least one of the proteins destabilized by ICP0, and by using a recombinant virus, we found that the equine herpes virus ICP0 homologue induced the proteasome-dependent degradation of endogenous CENP-C and modified forms of PML and Sp100. However, in contrast to ICP0, the homologue proteins had no effect on the distribution of the ubiquitin-specific protease USP7 within the cell, consistent with their lack of a USP7 binding domain. We also found that ICP0 by itself could induce the abrogation of SUMO-1 conjugation and then the proteasome-dependent degradation of unmodified exogenous PML in transfected cells, thus demonstrating that other HSV-1 proteins are not required. Surprisingly, the ICP0 homologues were unable to cause these effects. Overall, these data suggest that the members of the ICP0 family of proteins may act via a similar mechanism or pathway involving their RING finger domain but that their intrinsic activities and effects on endogenous and exogenous proteins differ in detail.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11024129&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Neonatal herpes prevention: a minor public health problem in some communities.

Mindel A, Taylor J, Tideman RL, Seifert C, Berry G, Wagner K, Page J, Marks C, Trudinger B, Cunningham A.

Academic Unit of Sexual Health Medicine, Sydney Hospital, NSW, Australia. bbeaton mail.usyd.edu.au

BACKGROUND: Neonatal herpes is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. The greatest risk occurs when the mother acquires herpes simplex virus (HSV) towards the end of pregnancy. A study from Seattle has suggested that the risk of acquisition of HSV during pregnancy was 3.7%. In Australia, HSV-2 infection is less common in pregnant women than in the United States. Consequently we conducted a study to establish HSV seroprevalence and the rate of HSV seroconversion in this population. METHODS: The study was conducted at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, between June 1995 and April 1998. Women completed a questionnaire covering risk factors for the acquisition of genital herpes. A serum sample during pregnancy and a specimen of cord blood were obtained and tested for antibodies to HSV-2 using a type specific indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Equivocal results were resolved by western blot. A subset of the paired sera was tested for antibodies to HSV-1. The data were analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: 326 of the 2616 (12.5%) women were HSV-2 seropositive. Three women (0.15%) acquired HSV-2 infection during pregnancy. None of the three babies of these mothers developed neonatal herpes. 416 maternal cord pairs were tested for HSV-1 antibodies and 330 (79.3%) were positive. No HSV-1 seroconversions occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, HSV acquisition was uncommon (0.34% per year) and neonatal herpes was rare. A cost effective analysis suggested that type specific serology to screen pregnant women and their partners in low prevalence communities was not cost effective.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11026885&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
A single tube PCR assay for simultaneous amplification of HSV-1/-2, VZV, CMV, HHV-6A/-6B, and EBV DNAs in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with virus-related neurological diseases.

Yamamoto T, Nakamura Y.

Department of Clinical Pathology, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from 27 patients with encephalitis, meningitis, and other neurological diseases were studied for the presence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpes viruses 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/-6B) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The DNAs were amplified using two sets of consensus primer pairs in a single tube, bringing simultaneous amplification of the herpes viruses. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and Southern blot hybridization with virus-type specific probes, thus allowing discrimination between the different types of herpes viruses to be made. Each virus-specific probe was highly specific for identifying the PCR product. Thirty CSF specimens from 13 patients with encephalitis and 10 specimens from 10 patients with meningitis, respectively, were examined using this method. Eight patients with encephalitis and six with meningitis were positive for different herpes viruses, including patients with coinfections (HSV-1/-2 and VZV, VZV and CMV). Among four CSF specimens from four patients with other neurological disorders, dual amplification of CMV and EBV was present. Since identification of the types of herpes viruses in this system requires a very small amount of CSF, and is completed with one PCR, it is useful for routine diagnosis of herpes virus infections in diagnostic laboratories. The viruses responsible for central nervous system infection are easily detected with various coinfection and serial patterns of herpes viruses, by this consensus primer-based PCR method. This may give an insight into the relationship between virus-related neurological diseases (VRNDS) and herpes virus infections.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11031694&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Cervical shedding of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus throughout the menstrual cycle in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Mostad SB, Kreiss JK, Ryncarz A, Chohan B, Mandaliya K, Ndinya-Achola J, Bwayo JJ, Corey L.

Departments of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the frequency and patterns of the shedding of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus in the female genital tract throughout the menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN: Seventeen women, all seropositive for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, underwent daily evaluation of cervical viral shedding for the duration of 1 menstrual cycle (21-31 visits per woman). Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were monitored 3 times weekly. RESULTS: Overall, herpes simplex virus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in 43 (10%) of 450 cervical swabs, and cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in 232 (52%) of 450 cervical swabs. For individual women there was considerable variability in the percentage of days on which virus was detected, ranging from 0% to 33% for herpes simplex virus and from 20% to 97% for cytomegalovirus. Shedding of herpes simplex virus did not vary significantly with menstrual cycle; however, shedding of cytomegalovirus was significantly more frequent in the luteal phase (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.4). A CD4(+) lymphocyte count <200/microL was associated with increased frequency of the detection of herpes simplex virus (odds ratio, 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-29.4). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic cervical shedding of both herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus occurs very frequently in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. The risk of transmitting these viruses to sexual partners and neonates may be higher than previously recognized.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11035345&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Presence of human herpes virus 6 and herpes simplex virus detected by polymerase chain reaction in surgical tissue from temporal lobe epileptic patients.

Uesugi H, Shimizu H, Maehara T, Arai N, Nakayama H.

Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital for Mental, Nervous, and Muscular Disorders, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.

We investigated the presence of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in surgical tissue from temporal lobe epileptic patients. A total of 17 cases were studied, including eight males and nine females. The mean age was 24.9 +/- 11.1 years and the mean age of onset was 11.1 +/- 5.4 years. Five patients were diagnosed as encephalitis/meningitis and another three had a history of suspected encephalitis/meningitis, but no patient showed any obvious neurological symptom or mental handicap. Mesial and lateral temporal tissues were examined by polymerase chain reaction. Among six patients positive for HHV-6 (35%), the mesial temporal lobe was positive in four and the lateral temporal lobe was positive in three. Herpes simplex virus was positive in only one patient. Three of the six patients positive for HHV-6 did not show any apparent causes. Mild encephalitis/meningitis induced by HHV-6, a condition sometimes not recognized as encephalitis/meningitis, may be one of the most frequent causes of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11043811&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Simultaneous detection of 6 human herpes viruses in cerebrospinal fluid and aqueous fluid by a single PCR using stair primers.

Bouquillon C, Dewilde A, Andreoletti L, Lambert V, Chieux V, Gerard Y, Lion G, Bocket L, Wattre P.

Laboratoire de Virologie, CHU de Lille, France.

A Herpes Consensus allows the simultaneous detection of 6 human herpes viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6). This technique was used first to examine retrospectively 100 DNA extracts from 95 CSF and 5 aqueous fluids, prepared by treatment by saturated NaCl followed by ethanol precipitation (n = 63) or by simple boiling (n = 37) and stored at -80 degrees C, and secondly to test prospectively 38 CSF samples for which two DNA extracts were prepared with commercially available DNA extraction kits. In all cases, the results were compared with those of an "in-house" PCR. Concordant results between both PCR and the Herpes Consensus techniques were obtained in 61 of 63 DNA extracts prepared by treatment by saturated NaCl (97%) and in only 31 of 37 boiled samples (84%). Both commercially available methods of DNA extraction examined appear to be suitable for Herpes Consensus PCR, although they cannot remove completely PCR inhibitors that must be sought in case of negative results. This preliminary study shows that the Herpes Consensus method should be of value for rapid diagnosis of herpes virus infections on condition that it is performed on purified DNA extracts.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11055245&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Debate: the argument for. Should all pregnant women be offered type-specific serological screening for HSV infection?

Kinghorn GR.

Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.

The challenge for the prevention of acquisition of neonatal herpes is to identify those mothers at risk of acquiring herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in pregnancy, and then to apply interventions to reduce this risk. Existing strategies to prevent neonatal herpes are based on recognition of clinical lesions in mothers at term, but these approaches may be of limited effectiveness, given that most cases of neonatal herpes result from unrecognized maternal acquisition of HSV in late pregnancy. The availability of type-specific serological tests for HSV-2 and HSV-1 now allows identification of at-risk pregnancies, and can enhance strategies to prevent both maternal and neonatal herpes infection. This may help to reduce the need for a Caesarean section, while promoting individual and public health gains.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12106511&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine