herpes
Human Herpesviridae in acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in children in Nigeria.

Contreras A, Falkler WA Jr, Enwonwu CO, Idigbe EO, Savage KO, Afolabi MB, Onwujekwe D, Rams TE, Slots J.

Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.

Herpesviruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. The present study investigated whether herpes viruses are present in the lesions of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Sixty-two Nigerian children, aged 3-14 years, were studied. Twenty-two children had acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and were also malnourished, 20 exhibited no acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis but were malnourished and 20 were free of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and in a good nutritional state. Polymerase chain reaction methods were used to determine the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type 1 and type 2 (EBV-1, EBV-2), herpes simplex virus (HSV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), human papilloma virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in crevicular fluid specimens collected by paper points. Of the 22 acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis patients, 15 (68%) revealed viral infection and 8 (36%) viral coinfection. Thirteen (59%) acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis patients demonstrated HCMV, 6 (27%) EBV-1, 5 (23%) HSV and 1 (5%) HHV-6. Only 2 (10%) subjects from each group not affected by acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis showed viral presence, and no control subject revealed viral coinfection. These findings suggest that HCMV and possibly other herpes viruses contribute to the onset and/or progression of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in malnourished Nigerian children.

PIP: Recent laboratory studies have implicated herpes viruses in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. This present study examines whether herpes viruses are present in the lesions of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. A total of 62 Nigerian children, aged 3-14 years were studied: 22 had acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and were also malnourished, 20 showed no acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis but were malnourished, and 20 were free of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and in a good nutritional state. A polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type 1 and type 2 (EBV-1, EBV-2), herpes simplex virus (HSV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), human papilloma virus, and HIV-1 in crevicular fluid samples obtained by paper points. Of the 22 patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, 15 (68%) showed viral infection and 8 (36%) showed a viral coinfection. In addition, 13 (59%) of these patients demonstrated HCMV, 6 (27%) EBV-1, 5 (23%) HSV, and 1 (5%) HHV-6. Only 2 (10%) subjects from each group not affected by acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis revealed viral presence, and none of the control group demonstrated viral coinfection. The findings suggest that HCMV and possibly other herpes viruses contribute to the onset and/or progression of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in malnourished children in Nigeria.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9467378&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Cost-effectiveness of acyclovir suppression to prevent recurrent genital herpes in term pregnancy.

Scott LL, Alexander J.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dallas 75235-9032, USA.

The objective of this paper is to determine whether acyclovir suppression provides a greater cost savings over no medical therapy in the management of recurrent genital herpes (HSV) in pregnancy. Estimates of the risk of HSV recurrence and cesarean delivery rates in acyclovir-treated and -untreated patients and frequency of neonatal acyclovir treatment were derived from literature reviews, prospective surveillance, and practices at our institution. Estimates of costs were derived from average hospital and outpatient clinic charges at our institution. Calculations were run separately for four different groups of patients: women whose first diagnosis of genital herpes occurred during the pregnancy, women whose diagnosis antedated pregnancy and who had infrequent recurrences, women whose diagnosis antedated pregnancy and had frequent recurrences, and all women with a history of genital herpes regardless of timing of diagnosis or frequency of recurrences. Suppressive acyclovir treatment of all term pregnant women with a history of genital herpes resulted in an estimated savings of $183.00 per patient or $36,600,000 per year. Women with their first episode of herpes diagnosed during pregnancy or with frequent recurrences benefitted even more, achieving a savings of $455.00 and $391.00 per patient, respectively. Assuming that prenatal acyclovir treatment is safe for the fetus, utilizing this management for all patients with recurrent HSV in pregnancy could immediately save $183 per patient. On a national level, this translates to $36,600,000 per year just in reduced obstetrical costs. If indirect costs associated with cesarean deliveries had been included in these calculations, the estimated savings would be even more substantial.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9475690&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
[Herpes simplex and varicella zoster in HIV seropositive and AIDS patients diagnosed at the "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine. Nurses' role]

[Article in Spanish]

Alfonso Rittoles A, Ricardo Fonseca ME, Feliu Lamarque N, Benitez Mazorra D.

Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.

A retrospective and descriptive study composed of HIV and AIDS seropositive patients was conducted, 90 patients with infections caused by herpes simplex and zoster varicella were taken as a sample. Percentage was applied to them. Within the opportunistic infections, those caused by microorganisms from the Herpes viridae family, such as herpes simplex virus type I and II, cytomegalovirus, hoster varicella, and Epstein Barr's virus are very frequent among these patients. The nursing role in the attention to HIV and AIDS seropositive patients with infections produced by herpes simplex and zoster varicella was analyzed during two years. Herpes simplex infection (88.8% of the cases) showed the highest incidence and its genital localization was the most frequent one. 100% of the lesions of the skin and of the mucous membranes were cured. The efficiency of nursing care in these infections was proved and emphasis was made on how important it is to fulfil the biosafety measures with these patients.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9479174&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Sequences of the ribonucleotide reductase-encoding genes of felid herpes virus 1 and molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Willoughby K, Bennett M, Williams RA, McCracken C, Gaskell RM.

Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool Veterinary Field Station, Neston, South Wirral, UK.

The felid herpes virus 1 (FHV-1) genes encoding the two ribonucleotide reductase (RR) subunits (RR1, large subunit and RR2, small subunit) were cloned and their nucleotide (nt) sequence determined. The RR1 open reading frame (ORF) is 2358 nts long and is predicted to encode a protein of 786 amino acids (aa). In common with herpes viruses in the Varicellovirus genus of the alphaherpes virus subfamily, FHV-1 RR1 lacks the N-terminal serine threonine protein kinase region present in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and -2. FHV-1 RR1 has a predicted aa identity of 47-64% with other alphaherpes virus RR1 peptides, falling to 26-29% for gammaherpes viruses. The RR2 ORF is 996 nts long, predicted to encode a protein of 332 aa and has aa identities of 64-70% with alphaherpes viruses and 38-39% with gammaherpes viruses. Molecular phylogenetic analysis groups FHV-1 with equid herpes viruses 1 and 4 (EHV 1 and 4), pseudorabies virus (PRV) and bovid herpes virus 1 (BHV 1) within the genus Varicellovirus.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9482586&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Detection of oyster herpes virus DNA and proteins in asymptomatic Crassostrea gigas adults.

Arzul I, Renault T, Thebault A, Gerard A.

IFREMER, Laboratoire de Genetique et Pathologie, 17390 La Tremblade, France.

Since 1972, several herpes-like virus infections have been reported among different bivalve species around the world. Most of these reports involved larvae or juveniles presenting high mortalities. Two case reports of herpes-like viruses concerned adult oysters, Crassostrea virginica in USA and Ostrea angasi in Australia. Molecular techniques including PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) have been recently developed to detect the oyster herpes virus genome. In the present study, 30 Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, adults have been analyzed using three different techniques: PCR, ISH and immunochemistry, in order to detect herpes viruses in asymptomatic individuals. PCR and ISH allowed detection of oyster herpes virus DNA in 93.3 and 86.6%, respectively, of analyzed oysters while polyclonal antibodies allowed detection of viral proteins in 76.6% of analyzed adult oysters. These results suggest that oyster herpes virus infects adult oysters with high prevalence and that the virus may persist in its host after primary infection. The detection of viral DNA and viral proteins in the gonad of several individuals supports the hypothesis of a possible vertical transmission of the infection. Lastly, concordance among the three techniques used in this study is discussed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11900847&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
[Postoperative complications of penetrating keratoplasty in herpes infected eyes. Differential diagnosis, therapy and prognostic significance]

[Article in German]

Kersten A, Sundmacher R, Reinhard T.

Augenklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universitat Dusseldorf.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated in this retrospective study the impact of our diagnostic and therapeutic regimens--as illustrated by typical clinical pictures--on the frequency and prognostic values of postkeratoplasty complications in herpes eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1986 and June 1994, 112 penetrating keratoplasties (KPS) in herpes eyes were performed, 76 as planned and 36 as emergency procedures. The results were compared with 646 KPS with normal risk. For statistical analysis we used the Kaplan-Meier estimation, and statistical significance was tested by the log rank test. RESULTS: After 6 years, 75% of the grafts in the planned herpes group, 86% of the a chaud KPS and 76% of the grafts of the normal-risk group were still clear without significant differences between these three groups. Fifty-four percent of the planned KPS in herpes eyes, 73% of the a chaud KPS in herpes eyes and 80% of the normal-risk KPS experienced no immune reaction, with both herpes groups showing significantly more reactions than the normal-risk KPS. There was, however, no significant difference in immune reactions between the two herpes groups. The percentage of grafts with recurrence of herpes simplex virus infection after 6 years was significantly higher in the a chaud group. CONCLUSIONS: With proper postoperative care and optimal management of immunologic and virologic complications--but only with this!--the prognosis of penetrating keratoplasties in herpes eyes equals that of normal risk eyes. An particular, the prognosis is not dependent on whether surgery was performed as a planned or as an emergency procedure.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9487759&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Testing of the in vivo therapeutic efficacy on the cutaneous herpes simplex infections of the autochthonous product 5% Acyclovir ointment.

Crisan I, Rojanschi D, Petica M, Fodor C, Morar S, Mutiu A.

The Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest.

The experimental results of the in vivo testing of an autochthonous pharmaceutical Acyclovir form prepared for the topical treatment of herpetic infections with a mucocutaneous location are shown in this paper. This testing on laboratory animals continues the in vivo performed investigations regarding the antiviral activity of this compound, which have proved that the efficacy of the inhibitory action exerted by the product on the Herpes simplex virus multiplication is comparable with the characteristics of the standard substance (Acyclovir-Zovirax Wellcome). By testing the therapeutic efficacy of the autochthonous Acyclovir preparation on an experimental model of cutaneous herpes infection in the newborn rat, it is demonstrated in a statistically significant manner that the product exerts a strong inhibitory action on the virus multiplication at the level of epidermis (proved by the lowering of virus production in the cutaneous tissue); the result is a drastic reduction of local herpes vesicles and of virus propagation in the neuraxis attended by the appearance of herpes meningo-encephalitis with a lethal course. The preparation is well tolerated (phenomena of local intolerance or remote toxicity were not observed). These in vivo positive results corroborated by those obtained in vitro complete the experimental argumentation necessary to support the proposal regarding the clinical trial of the product.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9495780&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine



herpes
Acyclovir cream prevents clinical and thermographic progression of recrudescent herpes labialis beyond the prodromal stage.

Biagioni PA, Lamey PJ.

School of Clinical Dentistry, Queen's University of Belfast, United Kingdom.

Early treatment of recrudescent herpes labialis over the symptomatic area has been claimed to inhibit the clinical signs of recrudescent herpes labialis. Electronic infrared thermography can both recognise the prodromal phase and identify the area requiring drug therapy. Our objective was to use infrared thermography to identify prodromal herpes and follow the response to topical acyclovir cream therapy over the thermographically active area. Seventy instances of prodromal cold sores were confirmed thermographically. Zovirax cold sore cream (acyclovir) was applied 5 times per day for 5 days to the thermographically positive area. All returned after 72 h for a further thermographic and clinical examination of the initially active area. All 70 patients illustrated a localised increase in temperature over the symptomatic area during the prodromal stage. The development of a clinical herpes lesion was prevented in 46% of the patients. In the lesions that did develop, an 80% reduction in clinical lesion size was observed in 82% of the subjects. The remaining 18% showed a reduction in healing time.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9498027&dopt=Abstract herpes medicine