Fluvastatin's effect on atherogenesis in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice infected by cytomegalovirus / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The goal of this study was to investigate whether murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is able to exacerbate the atherosclerotic process in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE -/-) mice, and the effect of fluvastatin on the atherogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The apoE-/- mice kept on a west diet were given low dosage of MCMV. At 14,18 and 24 weeks post infection, AS lesion were measured on aorta. The fluvastatin was administered, and AS lesion were measured accordingly above.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We observed that in the chronic phase of the infection, AS lesion area was significantly increased. MCMV gB mRNA was not amplified by real-time PCR from the arterial wall. The IgG antibody level of MCMV in blood plasma and the content of virus DNA in salivary gland were not correlated with AS lesions. After the administration of fluvastatin, there was no significant difference of AS lesions between MCMV infected group and mock-infected group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MCMV may aggravate the AS lesion in apoE -/- mice in the chronic phase of infection, and promote more severe type of AS lesions. But it might not be the direct effects of mechanism of MCMV on the local lesion of AS. Fluvastatin could meliorate the progression of AS after MCMV infection, but this was not accomplished by decreasing MCMV duplication.</p>

Analysis of 62 adult patients with viral meningitis / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical manifestation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and auxiliary examination findings of adult viral meningitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>62 adult patients with viral meningitis were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Headache occurred in all the 62 (100%) patients, fever occurred in 61 (98%) patients, meningeal irritation sign occurred in 48 (77%) patients. The abduction of left eye was limited in one patient. Seizure occurred in 2 patients. The mean duration time was 17 days, 93% patients less than 30 days. The pressure of CSF increased in 80% patients, leukocyte counts increased in 91% patients, protein level increased in 81% patients, chloride level was normal in 35% patients and slightly lower in 65% patients, glucose level was normal in 94% patients. 7 patients had positive IgM antibody of Coxackievirus B group both in serum and CSF, one patient had positive IgM antibody of EB virus in CSF. Cranial CT scan had no special findings in all patients. 23 patients performed MRI examination, meningeal enhancement occurred in 9 patients. 52% patients had abnormal EEG, mainly increased local or diffuse slow waves.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adult viral meningitis was a kind of self-limited disease, chloride level was slightly lower in more than half patients, meningeal enhancement was detected in MRI in part patients.</p>

Acute transverse myelitis associated with coxsackievirus B---A retrospective analysis of 7 patients / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Acute Transverse myelitis (ATM) is a focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord, resulting in motor, sensory, and autonomic nerve dysfunction. There is often a clearly defined rostral border of sensory dysfunction. Nowadays, the pathogenesis of ATM is not clear. The present study aimed to understand possible relationship between ATM and infection with Coxsackievirus B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>IgM antibody against Coxsackievirus B was detected in cerebrospinal fluid of 33 patients with ATM.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 7 of the 33 cases with ATM, the IgM andtibody Coxsackievirus B (CVB) was positive. No infections with other pathogens were found at the onset of the disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pathogenesis of ATM may involve infection with Coxsackievirus B.</p>

Relationship between EB virus, Cytomegalo virus, herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus infection and relapse of multiple sclerosis / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relation between the recent active infection with Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus,herpes simplex virus-1, coxsackievirus B I-IV and the relapse of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using ELISA method, IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1, coxsackievirus BI-IV in the plasma from 34 RR MS patients and 200 normal controls were detected. The rates of recent active infection with the above mentioned viruses of the patients and controls were compared.For patients group,comparison was also made between the clinical data of recent active infected patients and patients without recent active infection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no statistically significant difference in positive rates of positive rates of IgM antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1 and coxsackievirus BI, II, III or VI between the two groups. While there was statistically significant difference in positive rates of IgM antibodies to coxsackievirus B VI and V in the RR MS patients and those in the controls (being 3/34 and 0/200 P < 0.05; 2/34 and 0/200 P < 0.05, respectively). In the patient group, when patients who had active infection with any of the viruses were compared with those who had no active infection, no significant difference between them was found in terms of age, course, frequency, body temperature on admission, differential leukocyte count (neutrophilic granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocytes), use of glucocorticoids, and EDSS point value.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a high rate of recent active infection with coxsackievirus B VI and V in RR MS patients at relapsing stage. While the recent virus active infection is unrelated to the severity of the symptoms.</p>

Effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro. Cells between 3-6 passages were infected with cytomegalovirus for different time. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was detected by gel zymography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA and its activity 6 hours after infection was almost equal to control, and was greatly enhanced 12 and 24 hours after infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cytomegalovirus infection up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. It might be one of the mechanisms that cytomegalovirus is involved in atherosclerosis.</p>

Expression of human cytomegalovirus immediate early gene in the intracranial artery walls of atherosclerosis / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), especially the immediate early (IE) gene of the virus, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of HCMV IE gene DNA in intracranial artery walls and the association of the virus with the development of atherosclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HCMV IE gene was tested in formaldehyde-fixed intracranial arteries from 35 cases with cerebral atherosclerosis and 20 negative controls. In situ hybridization as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of DNA in sections of paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Probes and primers were derived from major immediate early (MIE) genomic regions of cytomegalovirus strain AD169.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The DNA of HCMV was found in 40.0% and 10.0% of arterial walls with atherosclerosis and negative control group by in situ hybridization, respectively, in 60.0% and 30.0% by PCR, respectively. Significant deference was found between them (P=0.018, P=0.032). There was also significant difference between grade III-IV and grade I-II atherosclerosis by both methods (P=0.027, P=0.009).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested that HCMV IE DNA exists in the atherosclerotic arterial walls, therefore, there might be an association between the IE gene in intracranial artery walls and the atherosclerosis. The arterial wall with the smooth muscle cells, might be the potential site of the virus persistence. HCMV may play a role in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerosis.</p>