Oral and Genital Human Herpesvirus 8 and Human Papillomavirus in heterosexual partners

Background: The purpose of this study was to verify a possible co‐infection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) in commonly associated human papillomavirus (HPV) penile lesions and to determine the frequency of detection of these viruses in the oral mucosa of their female counterparts. Methods: Thirty‐one male subjects underwent penile swabs from clinical HPV‐related lesions. Their female counterparts underwent swabs of the vagina, uterine cervix, and oral mucosa. HPV and HHV‐8 detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction using the consensus primers MY11/MY09 and KS1/KS2, respectively. Results: HPV DNA was detected in 31/31 penile lesions. HPV DNA was also detected in 18/31 (58%) female genital brushings and 17/31 (54%) female oral brushings. HHV‐8 DNA was detected in 1/31 (3.2%) male genital brushings and 3/31 (9.6%) female oral mucosa brushings. None of the female genital brushings were HHV‐8 DNA‐infected. Conclusions: Based upon the results of this study, co‐infection between HPV and HHV‐8 in malignant and pre‐malignant penile lesions is an unlikely finding.     

HCMV INFECTION: MODULATING THE CELL CYCLE AND CELL DEATH

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family and is recognized as a significant pathogen to certain subgroups of the human population. It has become apparent that HCMV manipulation of the host cell cycle as well as the immune response promotes the replication and propagation of the virus. The ability of HCMV to modulate components of the host immune system and the response to infection most likely contributes to the pathology associated with this virus. This review will address the mechanisms HCMV has adapted to modulate the cell cycle to promote viral replication as well as the different ways it can prevent the “death” of an infected cell.     

Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-Associated Primary Effusion Lymphoma in two Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving Rapamycin

The Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade has been demonstrated to be constitutively activated in several malignancies, including Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-associated primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). In organ transplant recipients, therapeutic change from cyclosporin to the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin can lead to regression of KS lesions. Recent experiments using PEL cell lines and murine xenograft PEL models suggested that rapamycin could inhibit the growth of PEL cells. In the present report, we describe the cases of two HIV-1-negative males of African origin who underwent renal transplantation and developed PEL while receiving rapamycin as immunosuppressive treatment. Both patients were retrospectively found to be HHV-8 seropositive before renal transplantation. The present case report suggests that rapamycin may not protect HHV-8-infected renal transplant recipients from occurrence of PEL or progression of pre-existing PEL.     

Infection of infants with human herpesvirus type 6 may be associated with reduced allergic sensitization and T‐helper type 2 development

Background Epidemiological studies point to an inverse relationship between microbial exposure and the prevalence of allergic diseases. The underlying mechanism for this observation remains largely unknown, as well as the nature of the microbes involved. Objective To investigate the effects of early infection with human herpesviruses (HHVs) on IgE formation and T‐helper type 2 (Th2) development in infants. Methods Serum was collected from children aged 18 months and assessed for IgE to common allergens and IgG to five common herpesviruses. Cord blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were exposed to HHV type 6 in vitro and mixed with allogeneic cord blood CD4⁺ T cells. Cytokine levels were determined by ELISA and by flow cytometry. Results We found that children seropositive at 18 months of age to HHV type 6 were significantly less often IgE sensitized than seronegative children [odds ratio (OR): 0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.009–0.68]. HHV type 6 also decreased the production of the Th2‐associated cytokines IL‐5 and IL‐13 by CD4⁺ T cells when co‐cultured with allogeneic cord blood pDC. This was associated with an increased production of IFN‐α by pDC exposed to HHV type 6. Conclusion These data indicate that an early childhood infection with HHV type 6 could down‐regulate Th2 responses and reduce IgE formation to common allergens in a young child.     

Kaposi Sarcoma in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing Dialysis

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric proliferative vascular tumor involving the skin and other organs. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been detected in KS lesions and is considered the putative causative agent of KS. The relationship between chronic renal failure, HHV-8, and KS is not clear. KS appears to develop in association with renal transplantation, but is unlikely with dialysis, and there have been few reports on this. Here, we report the case of a 51-year-old man, who underwent peritoneal dialysis to treat chronic renal failure, and presented with multiple brownish plaques on his soles. On histopathological examination, abnormally proliferated vessels, vascular slits, and spindle-shaped cells were seen in the dermis. Immunohistochemical staining for HHV-8 was positive. This case is another example in which factors other than immunosuppression contributed to the development of KS, due to activation of HHV-8.     

住院患者人类疱疹病毒7型感染的调查

目的 了解住院人群中人类疱疹病毒7型（HHV－7）的感染情况。方法 以聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测唾液中的HHV－7，再以巢式PCR及酶切加以鉴别。结果 检测120份唾液标本有97份阳性，PCR阳性结果示186bp处有一荧光带，经ECORI酶切后成为126bp和60bp两条荧光带，巢式PCR结果示94bp处有一荧光带；复发性口腔溃疡（RAU）患者与非RAU患者HHV－7检出存在显著性差异，有HHV－7感染组OR＝27．63。结论 住院患者的唾液中HHV－7检出率高，HHV－7感染人群发生RAU的危险高于未感染人群。     

Herpetic salpingitis and fallopian tube prolapse

AIM: We describe the unusual association of fallopian tubal prolapse and herpetic infection, an occurrence not previously reported to our knowledge. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 37-year-old woman presented with a small polypoid mass of the vaginal vault, 3 months after abdominal hysterectomy and abdominoplasty. The vaginal mass proved to be the fimbriated end of a fallopian tube, herniated into the vagina. Reintervention 3 months later with resection of a small vaginal 'polyp' revealed a residual portion of fallopian tube, with superimposed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and marked cytological atypia of surface epithelial cells. HSV-2 immunostaining of viral nuclear inclusions and of atypical cells confirmed the herpetic nature of the infection. CONCLUSION: Involvement of the genito-urinary tract by HSV may occur via an ascending infection from the cervix, but the fallopian tube, deeply located in the pelvis, is generally spared from herpetic infection. In the setting of fallopian tubal prolapse, direct exposure of the herniated fallopian tube to various pathogens in the vagina provides an unique clinical model for salpingitis. In herpetic tubal infections, special attention must be paid to cytological atypia of probable viral cytopathogenic origin, to avoid a misdiagnosis of malignancy.     

网状分枝扩增法检测EB病毒基因及临床应用研究

目的应用网状分枝扩增法（RAM）检测NHL外周血EB病毒基因，探讨EB病毒感染与NHL的相关性。方法利用人工合成的EBER-1启动子基因，建立网状分枝扩增检测法，以EB病毒阳性细胞株Raji和EB病毒阴性的人白血病细胞株NB4作对照，检测了NHL患者外周血中EB病毒基因。结果RAM能够检出样品中10个分子的靶基因；120例非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）标本中，76例阳性（63．33％），与PCR方法检出结果相一致。结论RAM技术敏感、特异、简便易行；NHL与EB病毒感染具有较高的相关性。