herpes
Management of women with recurrent genital herpes in pregnancy in Australia.

Marks C, Fethers K, Mindel A.

Academic Unit of Sexual Health Medicine, Sydney Hospital, NSW, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To document clinical practice for the management of recurrent genital herpes in pregnant women in Australia. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A questionnaire to all doctors associated with the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Policies for antenatal herpes screening, circumstances in which delivery by caesarean section was considered appropriate, and the use of aciclovir during pregnancy. The results were analysed by college status, sex, and whether the doctor worked in a public or private facility. RESULTS: 2855 (67.3%) obstetricians returned questionnaires. 696 (34.3%) stated that their hospital had a policy for managing recurrent genital herpes in pregnancy: 44.5% examined the genitalia and 33.8% took cultures during pregnancy. Fellows were more likely to examine the genitalia (87% v 37%, p < 0.001), and more likely to perform antenatal viral cultures than members (75% v 30%, p < 0.001). Doctors working at private hospitals were significantly more likely to take viral cultures than doctors in public hospitals (39% v 33% p < 0.05). Doctors were asked to consider five scenarios and judge whether caesarean section would be appropriate. 96% considered that a caesarean section was appropriate in women with active herpes at the onset of labour. In the case of a recurrence of genital HSV at the time of presentation with ruptured membranes longer than 4 hours, diplomats (79%) were significantly more likely to recommend a caesarean section than fellows (64%), members (63%), or trainees (49%) (all p < or = 0.001). Where there were positive viral cultures before the onset of labour fellows (45%) were more likely than members (29%) (p = 0.005), males (62%) were more likely than females (55%) (p = 0.03), and doctors working in private hospitals (69%) were more likely than those in the public sector (54%) (p < 0.001) to recommend caesarean section. CONCLUSION: There is considerable divergence of opinion regarding the appropriate management of recurrent genital herpes in pregnancy. The implementation of management guidelines would provide consistency of care.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10448344&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
DNA sequence of the UL6 to UL20 genes of infectious laryngotracheitis virus and characterization of the UL10 gene product as a nonglycosylated and nonessential virion protein.

Fuchs W, Mettenleiter TC.

Institute of Molecular Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institutes, Federal Research Centre for Virus Diseases of Animals, Insel Riems, Germany. Walter.Fuchs rie.bfav.de

The 24 kbp KpnI restriction fragment A from the unique long genome region of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV, gallid herpes virus-1) has been sequenced. The analysed region contains 14 open reading frames sharing homology with conserved alphaherpes virus genes. Arrangement of the UL6 to UL20 homologues of ILTV is almost identical to that found in the herpes simplex virus type 1 genome. As in other herpes viruses the UL15 gene consists of two exons and is expressed from a spliced mRNA. However, the UL16 gene, which is usually localized within the intron sequence of UL15, is not conserved at this position of the ILTV genome. Another unique feature is the absence of any putative N-glycosylation motifs within the deduced ILTV UL10 gene product, which is the homologue of the conserved herpes virus glycoprotein M. After preparation of a monospecific antiserum, two distinct UL10 proteins with apparent molecular masses of 36 and 31 kDa were identified in ILTV-infected cells as well as in purified virions. None of these UL10 gene products is modified by N- or O-linked glycosylation. Isolation of a green fluorescent protein-expressing UL10 deletion mutant of ILTV revealed that this gene is not required for virus replication in cell culture.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10466817&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
The differential impact of training stress and final examination stress on herpes virus latency at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Glaser R, Friedman SB, Smyth J, Ader R, Bijur P, Brunell P, Cohen N, Krilov LR, Lifrak ST, Stone A, Toffler P.

Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.

In this study, we searched for evidence for reactivation of three latent herpes viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), in West Point cadets experiencing two different stressors. Blood samples were obtained from cadets before and after a 6-week training period known as "Cadet Basic Training" (CBT), at a baseline prior to final examinations, and then once again during the week of final examinations. Antibody titers to latent HSV-1, EBV, and HHV-6 were determined as a measure of the steady-state expression of latent virus. EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) IgG antibody titers were unchanged in blood samples obtained prior to and immediately after CBT. However, EBV antibody titers were significantly higher in the blood sample obtained during examination week than in the baseline period before examination; they were also higher than antibody titers before/after CBT. None of the serum samples were positive for EBV VCA IgM antibodies, indicating that the changes in antibody titers to EBV were not associated with recent EBV infections in the class. No significant changes in antibody titers to HSV-1 or HSV-6 were found over the identical time periods, including examination week. Academic stress but not CBT modulated the steady-state expression of latent EBV, resulting in the reactivation of latent virus. The same stressors, however, did not affect the steady-state expression of latent HSV-1 or HSV-6, at least as measured by changes in antibody titers. The data provide additional evidence of the impact of different psychological stressors on the steady-state expression of latent herpes viruses. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10469525&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibodies in an STD clinic in Paris.

Janier M, Lassau F, Bloch J, Spindler E, Morel P, Gerard P, Aufrere A.

STD Clinic, Hopital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.

Our objective was to evaluate the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and HSV-1 in a population of men and women attending the STD clinic of Hopital St-Louis (Paris, France). Four hundred and eighty-seven patients (264 men and 223 women) were tested for HSV-2 and HSV-1 antibodies by specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Smithkline-Beecham Biologicals). Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out for correlations with clinical, socio-epidemiological and behavioural data. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 55% (44.7% in men, 67.3% in women). HSV-1 seroprevalence was 93% (94.7% in men, 91% in women). The predictive factors of HSV-2 seropositivity being female (OR: 3.37), age (OR: 1.04), country of origin (Central Africa OR: 3.52, North Africa OR: 1.36), history of genital herpes (OR: 10.97), hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers (OR: 1.92) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers (OR: 3.96). The only protective factor was HSV-1 seropositivity (OR: 0.25). The predictive factors of HSV-1 seropositivity were only the country of origin (Central Africa OR: 2.95, North Africa OR: 1.83) and the absence of genital herpes (OR: 11.01). Only 23 (8.6%) HSV-2 seropositive patients had a history of genital herpes. This study underlines the very high HSV-2 seroprevalence of patients with STDs, only a few of whom have a history of genital herpes. Detection and counselling is urgently needed for these patients.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10471101&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Development of a polymerase chain reaction and restriction typing assay for the diagnosis of bovine herpes virus 1, bovine herpes virus 2, and bovine herpes virus 4 infections.

De-Giuli L, Magnino S, Vigo PG, Labalestra I, Fabbi M.

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna Bruno Ubertini, Sezione diagnostica di Pavia, Italy.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method coupled with a restriction analysis of PCR products (PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism) was developed for the simultaneous detection of bovine herpes virus 1, bovine herpes virus 2, and bovine herpes virus 4 infections. The specificity, sensitivity, and practical diagnostic applicability of this method were evaluated. This assay may be also adapted to the diagnosis of suid herpes virus 1 and equine herpes viruses 1 and 3 and could become a powerful diagnostic tool.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12152821&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
The first immunoglobulin-like domain of HveC is sufficient to bind herpes simplex virus gD with full affinity, while the third domain is involved in oligomerization of HveC.

Krummenacher C, Rux AH, Whitbeck JC, Ponce-de-Leon M, Lou H, Baribaud I, Hou W, Zou C, Geraghty RJ, Spear PG, Eisenberg RJ, Cohen GH.

Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. krumm biochem.dental.upenn.edu

The human herpes virus entry mediator C (HveC/PRR1) is a member of the immunoglobulin family used as a cellular receptor by the alphaherpes viruses herpes simplex virus (HSV), pseudorabies virus, and bovine herpes virus type 1. We previously demonstrated direct binding of the purified HveC ectodomain to purified HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 glycoprotein D (gD). Here, using a baculovirus expression system, we constructed and purified truncated forms of the receptor containing one [HveC(143t)], two [HveC(245t)], or all three immunoglobulin-like domains [HveC(346t)] of the extracellular region. All three constructs were equally able to compete with HveC(346t) for gD binding. The variable domain bound to virions and blocked HSV infection as well as HveC(346t). Thus, all of the binding to the receptor occurs within the first immunoglobulin-like domain, or V-domain, of HveC. These data confirm and extend those of Cocchi et al. (F. Cocchi, M. Lopez, L. Menotti, M. Aoubala, P. Dubreuil, and G. Campadelli-Fiume, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:15700, 1998). Using biosensor analysis, we measured the affinity of binding of gD from HSV strains KOS and rid1 to two forms of HveC. Soluble gDs from the KOS strain of HSV-1 had the same affinity for HveC(346t) and HveC(143t). The mutant gD(rid1t) had an increased affinity for HveC(346t) and HveC(143t) due to a faster rate of complex formation. Interestingly, we found that HveC(346t) was a tetramer in solution, whereas HveC(143t) and HveC(245t) formed dimers, suggesting a role for the third immunoglobulin-like domain of HveC in oligomerization. In addition, the stoichiometry between gD and HveC appeared to be influenced by the level of HveC oligomerization.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10482562&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Development of a PCR system for porcine cytomegalovirus detection and determination of the putative partial sequence of its DNA polymerase gene.

Widen BF, Lowings JP, Belak S, Banks M.

Virology Department, Central Veterinary Laboratory/Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, United Kingdom.

After PCR amplification with conservative cytomegalovirus primers, a 520 nucleotide putative partial sequence of the DNA polymerase gene of porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) was determined. Sequence comparison revealed homology to DNA polymerase genes from various beta herpes viruses and a dendrogram was constructed depicting the relationship of PCMV to other members of the Herpesviridae family. The dendrogram indicates that PCMV is indeed a beta herpes virus that is more closely related to human herpes virus types 6 and 7 than to type 5. To address the difficulties encountered during conventional PCMV detection and characterization a set of nested PCR primers were constructed which generated DNA fragments of 415 and 257 bp from the DNA polymerase gene. The nested PCR system proved specific for PCMV and provided a novel means for the detection of this poorly characterized herpes virus in pig populations, vaccines and in organs used in xenotransplantation.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10487654&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
The equine herpes virus 4 thymidine kinase is a better suicide gene than the human herpes virus 1 thymidine kinase.

Loubiere L, Tiraby M, Cazaux C, Brisson E, Grisoni M, Zhao-Emonet J, Tiraby G, Klatzmann D.

Laboratoire de Biologie et Therapeutique des Pathologies Immunitaires, UPMC, CNRS ESA 7087, CERVI, Hopital de la Pitie, 83, Boulevard de l'Hopital, 75651 Paris cedex 13, France.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase suicide gene (HSV1tk) together with ganciclovir (GCV) have been successfully used for in vivo treatment of various experimental tumors, and many clinical trials using this system have been launched. With the aim to improve this therapeutic system, we compared the potential efficacy of different herpes virus derived thymidine kinases (HSV1, varicella-zoster virus, equine herpes virus type-4 and Epstein-Barr virus) as suicide genes in association with the nucleoside analogs acyclovir, ganciclovir and bromovinyldeoxyur- idine. Using various murine and human cell lines expressing these viral tk, we show that HSV1- and EHV4tk are the more efficient suicide genes for the different nucleoside analogs tested. Moreover, EHV4tk expressing murine and human cells were three- to 12-fold more sensitive to GCV than HSV1tk expressing cells. This was correlated with the presence of five-fold higher amounts of the toxic triphosphated-GCV in EHV4- versus HSV1tk expressing cells. Altogether, these experiments underline the potential advantages of the EHV4tk as a suicide gene.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10490775&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine