Necrosis retinal aguda. Dos casos clínicos / Acute retinal necrosis. A report of two clinical cases

La necrosis retinal aguda es una afección grave que amenaza la visión. Es frecuente en adultos, tanto inmunocompetentes como inmunocomprometidos. Se presentan dos pacientes, uno de 38 años, con antecedentes de salud anterior que acude a consulta con síntomas y signos de necrosis retinal aguda en el ojo izquierdo, la que fue diagnosticada luego; y otro de 48 años de edad con antecedentes de infección por herpes zóster, tres meses antes de los síntomas oculares, que concluyó con igual diagnóstico. No existió evolución satisfactoria, a pesar del tratamiento adecuado, lo que demostró que independientemente de datos estadísticos y estudios realizados que demuestran lo infrecuente de esta enfermedad, se diagnosticaron dos casos en el periodo de un año, dato que nos exhorta al estudio y práctica de alternativas diagnósticas y terapéuticas para minimizar las consecuencias devastadoras de esta afección.

Acute retinal necrosis is a serious vision-threatening condition. It is common in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised adults. We present two male patients; one aged 38 years, with a previous health history who comes to consultation with symptoms and signs of acute retinal necrosis in his left eye, which was later diagnosed; and another one aged 48 years with a history of herpes zoster infection three months before the ocular symptoms, which concluded with the same diagnosis. Regardless of the statistical data and research carried out on this rare disease, there was no satisfactory evolution despite adequate treatment. Two cases were diagnosed in a period of one year, data that urges us to study and practice diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives to minimize the devastating consequences of this condition.

COVID-19 infection and vaccines: potential triggers of Herpesviridae reactivation

Abstract Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, numerous articles have highlighted a possible link between COVID-19 vaccination or infection and Herpesviridae co-infection or reactivation. The authors conducted an exhaustive literature review on this topic, the results of which are presented individually for each member of the Herpesviridae family: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) types-1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2); Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV); Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV); Cytomegalovirus (CMV); HHV-6; HHV-7; and HHV-8. These human herpesviruses can serve as prognostic markers for the COVID-19 infection and may even underlie some of the clinical manifestations initially attributed to SARS-CoV-2. In addition to SARS-CoV-2 infection, all corresponding vaccines approved to date in Europe appear capable of inducing herpesvirus reactivation. It is important to consider all viruses of the Herpesviridae family when managing patients infected with or recently vaccinated against COVID-19.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of eight cases of pemphigus/bullous pemphigoid complicated by herpes simplex virus infection / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To retrospectively analyze clinical characteristics and treatment of pemphigus/bullous pemphigoid (BP) complicated by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.Methods:Inpatients with pemphigus/BP complicated by HSV infection were collected from Wuhan No.1 Hospital from 2016 to 2021, and their clinical characteristics, treatment and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 8 patients with pemphigus/BP complicated by HSV infection, there were 2 males and 6 females, and their age was 50.6 ± 8.3 years. Five of them were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 1 with pemphigus foliaceus (PF), and 2 with BP. Seven were infected with HSV-1, and 1 with HSV-2. All the 8 patients were given systemic glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of pemphigus or BP, and were admitted to the hospital due to resistance to the treatment. Seven patients presented with exacerbation or recurrence of primary lesions, and 1 presented with enlarged lesions all over the body. HSV infection-induced lesions were located on the trunk in 4 cases, on the oral mucosa in 4, on the scalp in 3, and on the face in 2; lesions mainly manifested as irregular erosions with blood crusts, and some centrally umbilicated pustules; 7 patients had obvious pain at the lesional sites. During HSV infection, anti-desmoglein 1 antibody levels decreased in all the 6 patients with pemphigus, and anti-desmoglein 3 antibody levels decreased in 4 of the 5 patients with pemphigus vulgaris; anti-BP180 antibody levels decreased in 1 patient with BP, but increased in the other one with BP. After antiviral therapy at adequate doses for adequate durations (7- to 14-day treatment with valacyclovir alone or in combination with ganciclovir), HSV infection was controlled, the autoimmune bullous skin disorder intensity scores decreased compared with those before the antiviral therapy, and pain was significantly relieved in all the patients. No dose adjustment of glucocorticoids or other immunosuppressive agents was made during antiviral therapy in all patients.Conclusion:HSV infection should be considered when patients with pemphigus/BP suffer from recurrence or exacerbation and poorly respond to conventional treatment; for patients with pemphigus/BP complicated by HSV infection, systemic antiviral therapy at adequate doses can be used to control the disease condition without modifying the conventional immunosuppressive regimen.

Pemphigus complicated by herpes simplex virus infection / 中华皮肤科杂志

Virus infection is one of the common complications of pemphigus. In recent years, related studies on pemphigus complicated by virus infection have mainly focused on the herpes simplex virus (HSV) . Studies have shown that HSV infection can affect the course of disease, therapeutic effect, and even the morphology of skin lesions in patients with pemphigus. However, due to considerable differences in sample sizes and test methods, the incidence and clinical characteristics of HSV infection in patients with pemphigus markedly differ among different studies. This review summarizes the incidence and clinical characteristics of pemphigus complicated by HSV infection, aiming to improve clinicians′ understanding of the disease and provide a basis for its diagnosis and treatment.

Bilateral Acute Retinal Necrosis and Encephalomalacia Due to Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in a Premature Infant

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common pathogen, that causes a broad spectrum of diseases, ranging from minor skin infections to severe encephalitis and widespread infections. Acute retinal necrosis (ARN), one of the most serious manifestations of HSV infection, is defined as a rapidly progressing necrotizing retinopathy that presents discrete areas of circumferential retinal necrosis, along with signs of uveitis, vitreitis, and retinal vasculitis. We encountered a case of a female infant, born at 33 weeks of gestation with a body weight at birth of 2,080 g, who had ARN and encephalomalacia due to HSV infection. ARN associated with HSV infection should be suspected when nonspecific retinal exudates are observed in neonates, especially preterm infants.

Herpes simplex virus: isolation, cytopathological characterization and antiviral sensitivity

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is an endemic disease and it is estimated that 6095% of the adult population are infected with symptoms that are usually self-limiting, though they can be serious, extensive and prolonged in immunocompromised individuals, highlighted by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. The study of the wild-type HSV strains based on the cytopathogenic features and its antiviral sensitivity are important in the establishment of an antivirogram for controlling the infection. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to isolate and examine the cytopathological characteristics of circulating strains of the Herpes simplex virus, from clinical specimens and their sensitivity to commercially available antiherpesvirus drugs, acyclovir, phosphonophormic acid and trifluridine. METHODS: Herpes simplex virus isolation, cytopathological features and antiviral sensitivity assays were performed in cell culture by tissue culture infectious dose or plaque forming unit assay. RESULTS: From twenty-two clinical specimens, we isolated and adapted nine strains. Overall, the cytopathic effect was detected 24 h post-infection (p.i.) and the presence of syncytia was remarkable 48 h p.i., observed after cell staining. Out of eight isolates, four developed plaques of varying sizes. All the isolates were sensitive to acyclovir, phosphonophormic and trifluridine, with the percentage of virus inhibition (%VI) ranging from 49.7-100%. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology for HSV isolation and characterization is a straightforward approach, but the drug sensitivity test, regarded as being of great practical importance, needs to be better understood. .

An experimental study on the immune response induced by a dendritic cell-based vaccine carrying the herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D gene in mice / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the specific immune response induced by a dendritic cell-based adenovirus-mediated vaccine carrying the herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D gene (pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC) in BALB/c mice.Methods Forty BALB/c mice were equally divided into four groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,pAdeno-DC group immunized with pAdeno-DC,pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group immunized with the previously constructed vaccine pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC,DC group immunized with DCs only.Totally,three rounds of vaccination were conducted at a 7-day interval.Ten days after the last vaccination,serum samples were collected and spleen cells were isolated from these mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the level of IgG antibody against HSV-2 gD in the serum samples.Some spleen cells were stimulated with HSV-2 gD protein (10 mg/L) for 72 hours; then,ELISA was carried out to determine the levels of interferon (IFN)-γand interleukin (IL)-4 in the supernatant,and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to estimate the proliferative activity of these cells.The cytotoxicity of spleen cells was also evaluated based on the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release.Results The serum level of IgG antibody against HSV-2 gD (given in the absorbance value at 450 nm) was 0.313 ± 0.034 in the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group,significantly higher than that in the pAdeno-DC group,DC group and blank control group (0.034 ± 0.009,0.028 ± 0.009 and 0.026 ± 0.010 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Increased proliferative activity and cytotoxicity were observed in spleen cells from the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group compared with those from the pAdeno-DC group,DC group and blank control group (cell stimulation index:1.600 ± 0.215 vs.1.063 ± 0.070,1.056 ± 0.063 and 1.020 ± 0.051,all P ＜ 0.05; percentage of cytotoxicity:37.1％ vs.16.0％,14.9％ and 15.7％,all P ＜ 0.05).The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 (both given in the absorbance value at 450 nm) were 0.568 ± 0.031 and 0.544-± 0.043 respectively in the supernatant of spleen cells from the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group,compared to 0.266 ± 0.021 and 0.278 ± 0.037 respectively in the pAdeno-DC group (bothP＜ 0.05),0.271 ± 0.023 and 0.275 ± 0.044 respectively in the DC group (bothP＜ 0.05),and 0.252 ± 0.012 and 0.245 ± 0.051 respectively in the blank control group (both P＜ 0.05).Conclusion The vaccine pAdenoHSV-2 gD-DC could induce a specific and strong immune response in BALB/c mice.

Effects of microRNA hsa-mir-634 on the proliferation and apoptosis of Vero cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the function and possible action mechanisms of microRNA hsa-mir-634 in Vero cells.Methods The binding sites for hsa-mir-634 in the 3' UTR of cyclin D1 (CCND1) were predicated by bioinformatics methods.Then,the 3'UTR sequence of CCND1 containing the binding sites for hsamir-634 was amplified by PCR.Site-directed mutagenesis was used to create mutations in the binding sites.The wild and mutant 3' UTR sequences of the CCND1 gene were ligated into the psi-CHECK2 vector separately to construct dual-luciferase reporter vectors,including CHECK2-CCND1 wild,CHECK2-CCND1 mut 1,CHECK2-CCND1 mut 2 and CHECK2-CCND1 mut 3.Then,293T cells were transfected with the four constructed plasmids,and luciferase activity was measured 48 hours after the transfection.Vero cells were transfected with hsa-mir-634 mimics and negative control separately,and harvested after additional culture for different durations; the Vero cells remaining untreated served as the blank control.Subsequently,fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of CCND1 respectively in,3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt (MTS) assay to evaluate the proliferation of,and flow cytometry to detect the apoptosis in,Vero cells.Results The binding sites for hsa-mir-634 in the 3'UTR of CCND1 were successfully predicated.Sequencing results showed the successful construction of dual-luciferase reporter vectors.As the luciferase assay revealed,the overexpression of hsa-mir-634 could significantly inhibit the CCND1 3'UTR-mediated luciferase activity.Compared with the negative control,the hsamir-634 mimics markedly decreased the protein expression of CCND1,but had no obvious effect on the mRNA expression of CCND1 in Vero cells.The proliferation of Vero cells transfected with hsa-mir-634 mimics was significantly restrained compared with those transfected with the negative control,and the strongest restraining effect was observed on day 4 after the transfection.In addition,the overexpression of hsa-mir-634 also induced the apoptosis of Vero cells,with the apoptosis rate being 8.03％,7.96％ and 17.33％ in the blank control group,negative control group and mimics group respectively.Conclusion Hsa-mir-634 may regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of Vero cells via influencing the expression of CCND1.

Seroprevalencia contra agentes ToRCH en mujeres indígenas en edad fértil, estado Zulia, Venezuela / Prevalence of infectious agents in indigenous women of childbearing age in Venezuela

Introducción. El termino ToRCH comprende a los patógenos Toxoplasma gondii, virus de la rubéola, citomegalovirus y virus herpes simple 1 y 2. En mujeres embarazadas expuestas pueden ser causa de abortos y malformaciones congénitas en el neonato. Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia de infección por los agentes causantes del síndrome ToRCH en mujeres en edad fértil de algunas comunidades indígenas yukpa de Venezuela. Materiales y métodos. En el año 2007 fueron seleccionadas 109 muestras de 151 mujeres, en edades comprendidas entre 14 y 40 años. La detección de anticuerpos se hizo por el método de inmunoensayo enzimático indirecto o ELISA de Smartest Diagnostics™. Resultados. El 85,5 % presentó anticuerpos contra T. gondii, el 95,4 % para rubéola, el 75,2 % para citomegalovirus y el 97,2 % para el virus herpes simple 1 y 2. Se observa que el 21,1 % y el 30,2 % presentaron relación entre la variable aborto y las infecciones por citomegalovirus y virus herpes simple 1 y 2, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Existe alta seroprevalencia de infecciones por los agentes causantes del síndrome ToRCH en mujeres en edad fértil de la etnia indígena yukpa. Las condiciones sanitarias precarias y el consumo de agua contaminada con ooquistes, favorecen la adquisición de la infección por T. gondii. El hacinamiento, el inicio a temprana de edad de la actividad sexual y el número de parejas, pueden incidir en la presencia de citomegalovirus y virus herpes simple 1 y 2.

Introduction. The ToRCH syndrome includes the following infectious pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. In susceptible pregnant women, these pathogens can cause abortions and congenital malformation in the newborn babies. Objective. The seroprevalence of infection by ToRCH agents was determined in women of childbearing age in several Venezuelan Yukpa indigenous communities. Material and methods. In 2007, 109 samples were selected from 151 women with an age range of 14 to 40 years old. The determination of antibodies against ToRCH agents was carried out through the indirect enzyme immunoassay technique by ELISA´s technique of Smartest Diagnostics. Results. Of the 109 samples, 85.5% presented antibodies against T. gondii, 95.4% for rubella, 75.2% for cytomegalovirus and 97.2% for and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. A relationship between abortion and infection by cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1and 2 was noted in 21.1% and 30.2% of women presented, respectively. Conclusions. The findings show a high prevalence of ToRCH agents in women in childbearing age in Yukpa indigenous communities in Venezuela. Poor sanitary conditions and consumption of water contaminated with oocysts may be an important way of transmission of T. gondii. Overcrowding in the communities, sexual activity at an early age and number of partners and may be related to the presence of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus HSV-1 and 2.

Detecção de Citomegalovírus Humano e Herpesvírus Simples tipo 2 em amostras cervicais / Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 in cervical sample

OBJETIVO: Testar a presença de DNA de Citomegalovírus Humano (HCMV) e Herpesvírus Simples tipo 2 (HSV-2) em amostras cervicais de mulheres atendidas em um serviço de atenção primária à saúde no município de Coari, Amazonas, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 361 mulheres sexualmente ativas, variando entre 18 e 78 anos, atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde para exame ginecológico de rotina. As amostras cervicais foram coletadas por meio de escova endocervical. A detecção dos vírus deu-se por meio de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) em tempo real. RESULTADOS: A média de idade das mulheres participantes foi de 36,4 anos (desvio-padrão (DP)=13,4). Foi encontrado DNA de HCMV em amostras cervicais de 30 mulheres (8,3%; IC95% 5,8 - 11,8) e de HSV-2 em 2 mulheres (0,6%; IC95% 0,1 - 2,2). Duas mulheres relataram ser portadoras do HIV, estando uma delas infectada com o HCMV. Não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significativas entre a infecção pelos patógenos estudados e as variáveis socioeconômicas, clínicas e comportamentais. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de infecção pelo HCMV encontrada na amostra estudada chama a atenção para a necessidade do rastreio desse vírus na gestação e da vigilância nos pacientes imunocomprometidos. A baixa prevalência do HSV-2 deve-se provavelmente ao fato de a amostra cervical não ser adequada para este tipo de estudo por causa das características da biologia viral relacionadas à neurolatência.

PURPOSE: To detect the presence of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) DNA in cervical samples from women assisted in a primary health care clinic in the city of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS: Participated in this study 361 sexually active women between 18 and 78 years. They were been assisted in a Basic Health Care Clinic for routine gynecological exam. The cervical samples were collected using endocervical brush. The viruses were detected using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. RESULTS: Mean age was 36.4 years (standard deviation (SD)=13.4). HCMV DNA was found in cervical samples from 30 women (8.3%; IC95% 5.8 - 11.8) and HSV 2 DNA in 2 women (0.6%; IC95% 0.1 - 2.2). Two women related being HIV positive, one of them infected with HCMV. There were no statistically significant associations between infections by the pathogens studied and socioeconomic, clinical or behavioral variables. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the HCMV infection found in the sample points to the need for screening of the virus during pregnancy and surveillance in immunocompromised patients. The low prevalence of HSV-2 found is probably due to the fact that cervical sampling is not appropriate for this type of study because of the characteristics of viral biology related to neurovirulence.

Effects of herpes simplex virus 2 latency-associated transcript open reading frame 3 on the apoptosis in Vero cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the effects of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) latency-associated transcript open reading frame 3 (LAT ORF3) gene on Vero cells against cisplatin-induced apoptosis.Methods Recombinant plasmid enhanced green fluorescent protein-open reading frame 3 (named pEGFP-ORF3) was constructed and transfected into Vero cells; then,reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to detect the expression of the target gene.Cisplatin of 3 mg/L was selected to induce the apoptosis in Vero cells.Cultured Vero cells were transfected with empty plasmid and induced by cisplatin (pEGFP-C2 group),transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-ORF3 and induced by cisplatin (pEGFP-ORF3 group),only induced by cisplatin (cisplatin-induced control group),or remained untreated (normal control group).Subsequently,fluorescence microscopy was conducted to observe apoptotic bodies,Giemsa stain to observe the morphology of cell nuclei,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to evaluate cell proliferation,and flow cytometry to assess cell apoptosis.Data were assessed by using SPSS 13.0 software,and statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA and t test.Results HSV-2 333 LAT ORF3 gene was successfully cloned.The eukaryotic expression plasmid for LAT ORF3 was constructed,and the expression of LAT ORF3 gene in Vero cells was confirmed by RT-PCR.Giemsa stain showed blue-staining nuclei and pale cytoplasm in recombinant plasmid-transfected and cisplatin-induced Vero cells with a normal shape.The value of cell proliferation (absorbance at 490 nm) by MTT assay was 2.56 ± 0.21 in pEGFP-ORF3 group,similar to that in the normal control group (2.66 ± 0.13,P ＞ 0.05),but significantly higher than cisplatin-induced control group (1.65 ± 0.11,P ＜ 0.05) and pEGFP-C2 group (1.56 ± 0.18,P ＜ 0.05).As far as the apoptosis rate was concerned,no significant difference was observed between pEGFP-ORF3 group and normal control group (4.03％ ± 1.04％ vs.2.13％ ± 0.09％,P ＞ 0.05),but pEGFP-ORF3 group was statistically lower than pEGFP-C2 group (19.45％ ± 2.05％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The transfected HSV-2 LAT ORF3 gene could protect Vero cells from cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Herpes hipertrófico perianal tratado eficazmente com imiquimod / Hypertrophic perianal herpes successfully treated with imiquimod

A infecção pelo vírus herpes simples tipo 2 (HSV-2) é frequente em pacientes infetados pelo vírus de imunodeficiência adquirida (VIH). Nestes casos, o herpes genital pode ter uma apresentação clínica atípica. As variantes hipertróficas e vegetantes são pouco habituais. Os autores relatam um caso de herpes hipertrófico perianal em paciente infetada pelo VIH, com resposta insatisfatória ao aciclovir e valaciclovir, tratado eficazmente com imiquimod tópico. O herpes genital hipertrófico é, frequentemente, refratário aos tratamentos antivirais. Na nossa experiência, o imiquimod é um tratamento eficaz, seguro e bem tolerado que deverá ser considerado na abordagem terapêutica destes pacientes.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections are frequent in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infected patients. In those cases, genital herpes may have an atypical clinical presentation. Hypertrophic and vegetating variants are unusual. The authors describe a case of hypertrophic perianal herpes in an HIV patient with unsatisfactory response to acyclovir and valacyclovir, successfully treated with imiquimod. Hypertrophic genital herpes cases are frequently refractory to antiviral treatments. In our experience, imiquimod is an efficient, safe and well tolerated treatment that should be considered in therapeutic approach of these patients.

Prophylactic Effects of a HSV-2DNA Vaccine in Guinea Pigs / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To observe the prophylactic effects of a HSV-2gD2DNA vaccine in guinea pigs challenged with HSV-2strains.Methods Female guinea pigs were divided into3groups with10each,which was immunized intramuscularly with100?g of pc-gD plasmids(recombinant HSV-2DNA vac-cine),or with pcDNA3blank plasmids,with normal saline as control,respectively.Two booster injections were given on day7and day21.Sera were collected for virus neutralization test on day0,day28,and day56.The animals were challenged with HSV-2strain sav intravaginally,and lesions induced on the external genital skin were scored between day1and day21after challenge.Results The titer of neutralizing anti-body to HSV-2was much higher in the sera from animals immunized by pc-gD plasmids than that from ani-mals immunized by pcDNA3blank plasmids or normal saline.Furthermore,the lesion scores on external genital skin were significantly decreased in pc-gD group than those in other two groups with either primary or recurrent infections.Conclusion The constructed gD2vaccine can efficiently protect guinea pigs from genital infection and reduce recurrent infection induced by latent herpes simplex virus.

Detection of HSV2-IgG, HBsAg and HCV in Patients with STD and HIV Infection / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objectives To compare the co-infection statues of HSV, HBV and HCV in patients with STD and HIV infection for providing evidence of developing prevention and control strategies. Methods Serum samples confirmed to be infected with HIV/AIDS by Western blot, and serum samples of patients with STDs (syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection) were tested for HSV2-IgG, HSV2-IgM, HBsAg and HCV-IgG by ELISA. The detection levels were compared between the two groups. Results Out of 76 specimens in STD group, HSV2-IgG was detected in 24 specimens (31.58%), HSV2-IgM in one specimen (1.32%), HBsAg positive in 8 (10.53%), and HCV antibody positive in 4 (1.32%). In 14 specimens of HIV/AIDS group, HSV2-IgG were detected in 7 (50.00%); HSV2-IgM in 5 (35.71%);8 (578.14%) were positive for HBsAg and 3 (21.43%) for HCV. In a total of 90 specimens, both HSV and HBV were detected in 6 specimens, both HSV-IgM and HBV in 2, and the four above-mentioned antibodies in 2. The infection rates of HSV, HBV and HCV were significantly higher in HIV-infected specimens than those in the STD specimens (P

Detection and Typing of Herpes Simplex Virus in Genital lesions of Patiens Attending STD Clinic / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To detect and type herpes simplex virus (HSV) in genital lesions of the patients attending STD clinic. Methods Clinical data were collected and analyzed from patients with anogenital non-herpetic lesions including induration or furuncle, fissure, folliculitis, single ulcer and so on. HSV was detected and typed by culture and PCR with specimens taken from these lesions. Results One hundred and five cases were recruited in this study. Among them, 18 cases presented induration (furuncle), 15 fissure, 16 folliculitis, 7 abrasion, 12 single ulcer, 25 nonspecific erythema and 12 balanoposthitis with edema and exudation. HSV was found in 33.3%(6/18), 20%(3/15), 37.5%(6/16), 28.6%(2/7), 33.3%(4/12), 20%(5/25) and 50%(6/12) of these lesions, repectively, by PCR, while in 22.2%(4/18), 13.3%(2/15), 25%(4/16), 14.3%(1/7), 33.3%(4/12), 8%(2/25) and 41.7%(5/12), repectively, by viral culture. The positive rates of HSV from all these non-herpetic lesions were 30.5% (32/105) and 21% (22/105), respectively (? = 0.095, P = 0.114), by PCR and viral culture. The results of HSV typing were consistent between PCR and immunofluorescence with type-specific monoclonal antibodies. Among those with HSV infections, HSV-1 infection acounted for 9.4% (3/32), and HSV-2 90.6% (29/32). Conclusions The clinical manifestations of genital HSV infections vary, and HSV could be isolated from lesions of induration (furuncle), fissure, folliculitis, abrasion, single ulcer, nonspecific erythema and balanoposthitis with edema and exudation. HSV-2 is the predominant type.

Cloning and Expression of an Immunodominant Fragment of Glycoprotein G of HSV-2 Using Directional TOPO Vector in E.coli / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To clone and express immunodominant fragment of glycoprotein G of HSV-2 (FgG-2). Methods The target gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were ligated into directional TOPO expression vector. After identification, the recombinant expression vector was transferred into BL21 StarTM cell for expression. Finally, recombinant protein of FgG-2 (rFgG-2) was detected by Western Blot (WB). Results A 616 bp DNA fragment was obtained with PCR and then confirmed in recombinant vector by PCR and sequencing, bearing 99.5% consistent sequence with target gene. Highest recombinant protein production was obtained at the time point of 3 hours. Expression of target protein was confirmed by WB with anti-gG monoclonal antibody. Conclusions The immunodominant fragment of gG-2 has been successfully cloned and expressed in E.coli, which might be used for the development of serum diagnostics assay kits for HSV-2 infection.

Detection and Genotyping of Herps Simplex Virus Type 2 by DNA Sequencing / 解放军医学杂志

Objective Herpes simplex virus is the pathogenic agent of human herpes simplex. There are two genotypes of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The clinical manifestations of HSV-1 and HSV-2 overlap each other and it is difficult to differentiate them clinically. Methods developed based on genome differences are efficient ones to differentiate the two genotypes of HSV. In this study, we attempted to develop a new method to detection and genotyping human HSV in clinical samples. Methods Swab samples were collected from genital lesions of patients and placed in transport media. Samples were used to inoculate Vero cells. After appearance of the cytotoxicity, the infection mixtures were collected, and subjected to genomic DNA extraction. Based on the conservation and variation of gD of HSV-1 and HSV-2, a pair of primers amplifying both of them were designed and synthesized. Sequence of the virus were amplified and cloned into pMD-18T, and then the sequence was determined by DNA sequencing. The sequence was compared to all the known sequences in Genebank by using BLAST. According to the BLAST results, the genus and genotype of the virus was determined. Results A DNA fragment of about 200 bp was successfully amplified. This DNA fragment was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was compared with other known sequences. the results showed that this sequence had the highest homology to gD of HSV, indicating that the virus in the sample was HSV-2. The BLAST results also showed that there were some differences in the sequence of gD to those previously isolated. Conclusion DNA sequencing of PCR amplification products is an efficient and definite method to detect and genotype HSV-1 and HSV-2 which otherwise are difficult to differentiate clinically.