[The blocking effects of small interfering RNAs on RS-1 gene functions of herpes simplex virus type 2: new perspectives for targeted antiviral exposure].

A new target has been revealed for therapy for herpes simplex type 2. The target is RS1 mRNA whose activation is a key stage in regulating the expression of the early genes of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The targeted knockdown of the function of this gene by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has been found to result in the complete suppression of HSV-2 infection. The designed interfering RNAs are able to interact with both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The findings suggest that siRNAs have protective properties against the cytopathic effect of HSV-2 and cause no toxicity to infected Vero cells.

[Comparative estimation of the indicators of interferon, immune, and cytokine states in the comprehensive study of patients with herpesvirus infections].

The paper provides the data of a comparative analysis of the indicators of immune and interferon states and cytokine profile and the results of virological studies in patients with different (acute and chronic) forms of mixed herpesvirus infection (with virus simplex herpes types 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus type 6, and others). Pronounced changes were found in immune responses in such patients. There were decreases in IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma values in 36 and 13%, respectively; 51% of the subjects showed a reduction in both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma along with the high titers of antibodies to viruses of the Herpesviridae family and their infectious activity. There were changes in the cytokine profile, activation of IFN-alpha, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18 gene expression, and suppression of IL-2 gene transcription in the majority of the patients. Determination of IFN susceptibility revealed that 86% of the subjects responded to IFN-alpha therapy and only 11% of cases did to IFN-gamma one.

[Inhibitory effect of foscarnet and acyclovir on reproduction of human herpesvirus 6 in cell culture].

Two practically important antiviral agents, i.e. foscarnet (phosphonoformic acid, foscavir) and acyclovir, and their inhibitory effect on reproduction of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) were investigated in an experiment with sensitive lymphoblastoic cell line HSB-2. Phosphonoformic acid (PFA) was shown advantageous vs. acyclovir. In a model of HHV-6 infection acyclovir was low active (chemotherapeutic index of 0.9) and its use in clinical practice is not useful, whereas PFA (chemoterapeutic index of 10) and similar agents showed significant antiviral activity that indicated the necessity of their further investigation.

[Laboratory diagnosis of human herpes virus infection]. / Laboratornaia diagnostika gerpesvirusnoi infektsii cheloveka.

Reviews modern data on laboratory diagnosis (virological, immunobiochemical, molecular biological methods) and differential diagnosis of herpesvirus infection induced by various Herpesviridae.

[Human type 6, 7, and 8 herpesviruses--new pathogens in the Herpesviridae family]. / Virusy gerpesa cheloveka 6, 7 i 8-go tipov--novye patogeny semeistva Herpesviridae.

Presents modern data on a group of novel viruses pathogenic for man: types 6, 7, and 8 human lymphotropic herpesviruses (HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8). HHV-6 and HHV-8 are characterized by wide cell tropism, and HHV-7 is selectively tropic to CD4+ T-lymphocytes. HHV-6 and HHV-7 are etiological agents of exanthema subitum (roseoia infantum), a disease of infancy, and of many grave lymphoproliferative disorders, and HHV-8 is a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. The morphology, immunobiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, epidemiology, and therapy of HHV, HHV-7, and HHV-8 infection are characterized in brief.