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Abstract Decline in immune function with age has been studied extensively, but approaches to immune restoration have been hampered by the lack of simple methods of identifying individuals whose immune system is in decline. Our approach has been to identify individuals whose immune decline has led to a loss of control of common latent viral infections and their consequent reactivation. Viruses excreted in urine were detected and quantified and we believe this approach could provide a 'surrogate marker' for identifying immune compromised individuals. Here we report the detection of human herpes virus (HHV) 5, 6a, 6b and 7 in the urine of healthy individuals over a wide age range and their correlation with T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) data. The results did not show a clear correlation between TREC values and the detection of individual specific viruses or viral load values when measured singly. However, a correlation was found between low TREC values and the detection of several different human herpes viruses in the urine in males. We present evidence suggesting that for males, the detection of three or more different human herpes viruses in the urine could identify individuals with declining immune function as evidenced by their significantly lower TREC levels.

Decline in immune function with age has been studied extensively, but approaches to immune restoration have been hampered by the lack of simple methods of identifying individuals whose immune system is in decline. Our approach has been to identify individuals whose immune decline has led to a loss of control of common latent viral infections and their consequent reactivation. Viruses excreted in urine were detected and quantified and we believe this approach could provide a 'surrogate marker' for identifying immune compromised individuals. Here we report the detection of human herpes virus (HHV) 5, 6a, 6b and 7 in the urine of healthy individuals over a wide age range and their correlation with T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) data. The results did not show a clear correlation between TREC values and the detection of individual specific viruses or viral load values when measured singly. However, a correlation was found between low TREC values and the detection of several different human herpes viruses in the urine in males. We present evidence suggesting that for males, the detection of three or more different human herpes viruses in the urine could identify individuals with declining immune function as evidenced by their significantly lower TREC levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mucosa of the oral cavity is exposed to a large number of different microorganisms such as archaea, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Among those, viruses cause specific infections, which can easily be transmitted from one person to another. The infectious route may not only include patients and their relatives but also the dental professional team. Thus, a wide knowledge regarding specific viral infections is crucial for the daily routine. Signs and symptoms of oral viral infections can be completely absent or develop into a pronounced clinical picture, so that early detection and information determine the further course of the infection and its influence on other inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis, as well as the safety of family members and the social environment. As the clinical manifestation of viral infections may be highly variable leading to heterogenous mucosal lesions it is, in most cases, mandatory to differentiate them by specific microbiological tests in addition to clinical examination procedures. This article will give an overview of the role of viruses infecting the oral mucosa, and in addition, describe their clinical manifestation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates serum cell-free DNA fluctuations in patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia, offering insight into the tissue damage and inflammatory dynamics associated with these conditions. A single-centre combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted with 59 patients to assess cell-free DNA levels in herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. Cell-free DNA was extracted from blood samples of patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia and compared with healthy controls. The findings demonstrated elevated cell-free DNA levels in patients with herpes zoster, which remained elevated for 3 months or longer following treat-ment. These results suggest the presence of a subacute inflammatory state after herpes zoster infection. Furthermore, patients who developed post-herpetic neuralgia did not show elevated cell-free DNA levels, while those who did not develop post-herpetic neuralgia exhibited increased levels. This indicates that post-herpetic neuralgia is likely a localized response to prior nerve damage rather than a systemic inflammatory process with acute tissue damage.

An acute inflammatory skin condition called pityriasis rosea is characterized by papulosquamous skin lesions that develop on the trunk and extremities. Both children and adults are affected by the illness, with somewhat more females than males. The Medline, Pubmed, Embase, NCBI, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Incidence, etiology, and management options were analyzed. Pityriasis rosea has an easy-to-understand diagnostic that is mostly based on clinical features with an appropriate time course. Pityriasis rosea has no specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe causal associations between infections with human herpes viruses (HHVs) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been disputed. This study investigated the causal associations between herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV-6, and HHV-7 infections and ALS through a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method.MethodsThe genome-wide association studies (GWAS) database were analyzed by inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO test, Cochran’s Q test, funnel plots, and leaveone-out analysis were used to verify the validity and robustness of the MR results.ResultsIn the forward MR analysis of the IVW, genetically predicted HSV infections [odds ratio (OR) = 0.9917; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9685–1.0154; p = 0.4886], HSV keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis (OR = 0.9897; 95% CI: 0.9739–1.0059; p = 0.2107), anogenital HSV infection (OR = 1.0062; 95% CI: 0.9826–1.0304; p = 0.6081), VZV IgG (OR = 1.0003; 95% CI: 0.9849–1.0160; p = 0.9659), EBV IgG (OR = 0.9509; 95% CI: 0.8879–1.0183; p = 0.1497), CMV (OR = 0.9481; 95% CI: 0.8680–1.0357; p = 0.2374), HHV-6 IgG (OR = 0.9884; 95% CI: 0.9486–1.0298; p = 0.5765) and HHV-7 IgG (OR = 0.9991; 95% CI: 0.9693–1.0299; p = 0.9557) were not causally associated with ALS. The reverse MR analysis of the IVW revealed comparable findings, indicating no link between HHVs infections and ALS. The reliability and validity of the findings were verified by the sensitivity analysis.ConclusionAccording to the MR study, there is no evidence of causal associations between genetically predicted HHVs (HSV, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7) and ALS.

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an indolent angio-proliferative tumor proliferation with spindle cells originating from endothelial and immune cells infected with human herpes virus type 8. (HHV-8: also known as Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus [KSHV]). HHV-8 was identified as the causative agent of KS. This virus is present in 95-98% of cases with KS. Kaposi's sarcoma was first described by a Hungarian dermatologist 1872 named Moritz Kaposi.[1] The lesions are characterized by the proliferation of spindle cells of endothelial origin, which present different degrees of abnormal vascularization, inflammatory infiltrates, and fibrosis. Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) is a malignancy that generally affects the skin, and can be systemic with internal organ involvement. It originates from the vascular endothelium. KS's relationship with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is well known. In this article, we will present a 73-year-old male patient with 3 purple scrotal lesions up to 0.5 cm in size. Conclusion; Kaposi's sarcoma of the scrotum in a negative patient is a rare pathology. However, in cases of scrotal lesions that last over time, a differential diagnosis should be made and Kaposi's sarcoma should be taken into consideration. Also, a screening for other accompanying lesions, especially a detailed examination of the gastrointestinal tract is important in cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma of the scrotum.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) represents the most prevalent malignancy among untreated HIV-positive individuals. Herpesvirus linked with Kaposi's sarcoma (KSHV; also termed as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)). In this study, blood samples were collected from 120 individuals, 60 of them had HHV-8 infection with kaposi sarcoma and 60 persons as apparently healthy control. These patients attended Baghdad Teaching Hospital from the period of 15th February 2021 to 15th January 2022. Infections are seen to be more prevalent in the age group of 25-49 years when compared to other groups. The distribution of the biomarkers confirmed that 50, 25 and 80% of the 20 infected patients were positive for Ca19.9, Ca125 and Ca15.3 respectively. The Ca19.9, Ca125, and Ca15.3 biomarkers all produced good results in patients with Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV-8) infections, leading us to the conclusion that these biomarkers gave favorable results. All of the PCR products showed a positive amplification at 434bp. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the belongingness to the HHV strain. Further, this could lead to the development of a novel molecular diagnostic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) represents the most prevalent malignancy among untreated HIV-positive individuals. Herpesvirus linked with Kaposi's sarcoma (KSHV; also termed as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)). In this study, blood samples were collected from 120 individuals, 60 of them had HHV-8 infection with kaposi sarcoma and 60 persons as apparently healthy control. These patients attended Baghdad Teaching Hospital from the period of 15th February 2021 to 15th January 2022. Infections are seen to be more prevalent in the age group of 25-49 years when compared to other groups. The distribution of the biomarkers confirmed that 50, 25 and 80% of the 20 infected patients were positive for Ca19.9, Ca125 and Ca15.3 respectively. The Ca19.9, Ca125, and Ca15.3 biomarkers all produced good results in patients with Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV-8) infections, leading us to the conclusion that these biomarkers gave favorable results. All of the PCR products showed a positive amplification at 434bp. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the belongingness to the HHV strain. Further, this could lead to the development of a novel molecular diagnostic tool.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) enters sensory neurons with the potential for productive or latent infection. For either outcome, HSV-1 must curtail the intrinsic immune response, regulate viral gene expression, and remove host proteins that could restrict viral processes. Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0), a virus-encoded E3 ubiquitin ligase, supports these processes by mediating the transfer of ubiquitin to target proteins to change their location, alter their function, or induce their degradation. To identify ubiquitination targets of ICP0 during productive infection in sensory neurons, we immunoprecipitated ubiquitinated proteins from primary adult sensory neurons infected with HSV-1 KOS (wild-type), HSV-1 n212 (expressing truncated, defective ICP0), and uninfected controls using anti-ubiquitin antibody FK2 (recognizing K29, K48, K63 and monoubiquitinated proteins), followed by LC-MS/MS and comparative analyses. We identified 40 unique proteins ubiquitinated by ICP0 and 17 ubiquitinated by both ICP0 and host mechanisms, of which High Mobility Group Protein I/Y (HMG I/Y) and TAR DNA Binding Protein 43 (TDP43) were selected for further analysis. We show that ICP0 ubiquitinates HMG I/Y and TDP43, altering protein expression at specific time points during productive HSV-1 infection, demonstrating that ICP0 manipulates the sensory neuronal environment in a time-dependent manner to regulate infection outcome in neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies have suggested that human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS). Three possible hypotheses have been investigated: (1) U24 from HHV-6A (U24-6A) mimics myelin basic protein (MBP) through analogous phosphorylation and interaction with Fyn-SH3; (2) U24-6A affects endocytic recycling by binding human neural precursor cell (NPC) expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4-like WW3* domain (hNedd4L-WW3*); and (3) MS patients who express Killer Cell Immunoglobulin Like Receptor 2DL2 (KIR2DL2) on natural killer (NK) cells are more susceptible to HHV-6 infection. In this contribution, we examined the validity of these propositions by investigating the interactions of U24 from HHV-6B (U24-6B), a variant less commonly linked to MS, with Fyn-SH3 and hNedd4L-WW3* using heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) titrations and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In addition, the importance of phosphorylation and the specific role of U24 in NK cell activation in MS patients were examined. Overall, the findings allowed us to shed light into the models linking HHV-6 to MS and the involvement of U24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpes zoster infection occurs owing to reactivation of varicella zoster virus and classically manifests as a vesicular eruption involving a single dermatome. Disseminated herpes zoster - defined as having greater than twenty vesicles outside the primary or adjacent dermatome - is uncommon and typically occurs in immunocompromised individuals. Central nervous system complications during or following a zoster outbreak are exceedingly rare. Encephalitis is reported to affect only 0.1-0.2% of patients and occurs more often in disseminated cases and in outbreaks involving those dermatomes in close proximity to the central nervous system. We present an elderly woman with disseminated herpes zoster and altered mental status who was subsequently diagnosed with varicella zoster virus encephalitis and describe the characteristics of patients with disseminated zoster who developed varicella zoster virus encephalitis.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is an extremely successful human herpes virus, which infects essentially all human beings at some time during their life span. EBV infection and the associated immune response results in production of antibodies (seroconversion), which occurs mainly during the first years of life, but may also happen during adolescence or later in life. Infection of adolescents can result in infectious mononucleosis, an acute serious condition characterized by massive lymphocytosis. Transmission of EBV mainly occurs through saliva but can rarely be spread through semen or blood, e.g. through organ transplantations and blood transfusions. EBV transmission through oral secretions results in infection of epithelial cells of the oropharynx. From the epithelial cells EBV can infect B cells, which are the major reservoir for the virus, but other cell types may also become infected. As a result, EBV can shuttle between different cell types, mainly B cells and epithelial cells. Moreover, since the virus can switch between a latent and a lytic life cycle, EBV has the ability to cause chronic relapsing/reactivating infections. Chronic or recurrent EBV infection of epithelial cells has been linked to systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome, whereas chronic/recurrent infection of B cells has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. Accordingly, since EBV can shuttle between epithelial cells and B cells, the systemic autoimmune diseases often occur as overlapping syndromes with symptoms and characteristic autoantibodies (e.g. antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factors) reflecting epithelial and/or B cell infection.

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a rare malignancy associated with AIDS and usually affects skin. The most common causative agent is the Human Herpes Virus Type 8 (HHV-8). In the literature, there are few case reports about KS with no association to AIDS. In this case report, we report a 72-year-old HIV (-) woman who presented to our clinic with a complaint of fast swelling in the right palatine tonsil and was histopathologically diagnosed as tonsillar KS.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is an extremely successful human herpes virus, which infects essentially all human beings at some time during their life span. EBV infection and the associated immune response results in production of antibodies (seroconversion), which occurs mainly during the first years of life, but may also happen during adolescence or later in life. Infection of adolescents can result in infectious mononucleosis, an acute serious condition characterized by massive lymphocytosis. Transmission of EBV mainly occurs through saliva but can rarely be spread through semen or blood, e.g. through organ transplantations and blood transfusions. EBV transmission through oral secretions results in infection of epithelial cells of the oropharynx. From the epithelial cells EBV can infect B cells, which are the major reservoir for the virus, but other cell types may also become infected. As a result, EBV can shuttle between different cell types, mainly B cells and epithelial cells. Moreover, since the virus can switch between a latent and a lytic life cycle, EBV has the ability to cause chronic relapsing/reactivating infections. Chronic or recurrent EBV infection of epithelial cells has been linked to systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome, whereas chronic/recurrent infection of B cells has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. Accordingly, since EBV can shuttle between epithelial cells and B cells, the systemic autoimmune diseases often occur as overlapping syndromes with symptoms and characteristic autoantibodies (e.g. antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factors) reflecting epithelial and/or B cell infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human herpes viruses (HHV) have been implicated in dementia. Class II Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) play a critical role in host protection from foreign antigens including herpes viruses through stimulating antibody production against them. In the present study we investigated the in silico binding affinity of 9 H HV to three Class II HLA alleles that have been found to protect against dementia: DRB1*01:01, DRB1*13:02, and DRB1*15:01. A sliding window approach was used to partition the amino acid sequences of surface glycoproteins from HHV 1–8 into subsequences. The binding affinity of the HHV subsequences to Class II HLA surface receptor proteins was predicted using the Sturniolo method in the Immune Epitope Database and reported as a percentile rank. The binding affinity of HHV subsequences to protective alleles was compared to that of three dementia-neutral Class II HLA alleles: DRB1*03:01, DRB1*07:01, and DRB1*08:01. Binding affinity varied widely for each HLA allele, HHV type, and HHV subsequence. The protective alleles had significantly higher binding affinity that than the neutral alleles. The largest differences in binding affinity between the protective and neutral alleles was shown for HHV-6A and HHV-6B, which had the best overall binding affinity with the protective alleles. The dementia protection conferred by the three protective HLA alleles investigated here is related to their superior ability to bind and successfully eliminate HHV epitopes – in particular, HHV6 - that could otherwise cause dementia if they persisted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder (GLPD) is a poorly characterized lymphoproliferative entity, recently included in the World Health Organization classification of hematolymphoid neoplasms. The histological pattern of this disease comprises monotypic plasmablasts that involve the germinal centers of the lymphoid follicles (germinotrophism), forming confluent aggregates positive for both human herpes virus type 8 (HHV8) and Epstein-Barr virus. Currently, after 17 years of its first description, only 18 cases have been reported. In this article, we describe a case of a GLPD presenting in an immunocompetent 79-year-old woman with localized axillary lymphadenopathy, showing a prominent sinusoidal growth pattern, with no evidence of germinotrophism or extrasinusoidal spread. Stinking pleomorphism in tumor cells was also noted. An extension study has not revealed involvement of other groups of lymph nodes or extralymphoid sites. The patient is alive and has shown no relapse after 8 years follow-up (the longest follow-up reported period for this entity). This previously unrecognized pure sinusoidal growth pattern along with the striking pleomorphism in neoplastic cells closely mimics the appearance of an anaplastic large cell lymphoma. GLPD is not usually considered in such a setting, but it should be included in the differential diagnosis of sinusoidal proliferations. Our findings contribute to the expansion of the morphological spectrum of HHV8-associated lymphoproliferative lesions and aids in the characterization of the very infrequent GLPD entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare malignancy associated with AIDS and usually affects skin. The most common causative agent is the Human Herpes Virus Type 8 (HHV-8). In the literature, there are few case reports about KS with no association to AIDS. In this case report, we report a 72-year-old HIV (-) woman who presented to our clinic with a complaint of fast swelling in the right palatine tonsil and was histopathologically diagnosed as tonsillar KS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: L'évaluation et la prise en charge des maladies du foie sont essentielles pour améliorer la survie des patients d'hématologie, notamment après greffe de cellules hématopoïétiques allogéniques. Donner un avis de consultant hépato-gastroentérologue est, en général, compliqué lorsque le patient a un cancer en cours de traitement, et qu'il développe un ictère, une prise de poids, une ascite, de la fièvre, des douleurs de l'hypochondre droit, et des tests hépatiques anormaux. Les avancées dans le domaine de la biologie moléculaire diagnostique et de l'imagerie ont rendu les démarches diagnostiques plus simples, et la biopsie hépatique n'est maintenant indiquée que dans de rares situations. Les algorithmes diagnostiques et thérapeutiques sont plus clairs pour orienter le clinicien et débuter rapidement un traitement. L'hématologie est une spécialité en pleine expansion et de nombreux médicaments arrivent sur le marché sans que leur sécurité hépatique soit parfaitement cernée. L'objectif de cette revue est de fournir au lecteur les clés pour être un praticien averti dans le domaine des maladies du foie des patients d'hématologie. The evaluation and management of liver diseases is essential to improve the survival of hematology patients, especially after transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic cells. The consulting hepatologist may never see a more complex patient than a patient with cancer who develops jaundice, fluid retention, fever, liver pain, and abnormal serum liver tests – and in contrast to the situation where patients have a single diagnosis, there may be multiple causes of liver dysfunction in such a patient. However, medical progress in liver imaging and molecular methods of viral diagnosis have made evaluations more straight-forward, such that liver biopsy can be confined to the most puzzling cases. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are clearer in guiding the clinician and starting treatment quickly, but one long-term goal should be to prevent liver injury in the first place. Hematology is a growing specialty and many drugs are coming to the market without their liver safety being fully understood. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with the keys to be a knowledgeable practitioner in the field of liver disease in hematology patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DRESS is one of the most severe drug reactions. The aim of this retrospective study was to summarize the clinical presentation, genetic predisposition and prognostic factors of DRESS. A total of 52 patients with DRESS, who were inpatients at a medical referral centre in Shanghai, China, from January 2011 to December 2016, were analysed retrospectively. All the patients had skin eruption, 83% had liver involvement, and ≤10% had other organ involvement. Mean cost of hospitalization was US$5,511 ± 3,050. The 3 most common causative agents were allopurinol (18/52; 35%), salazosulphapyridine (11/52; 21%) and carbamazepine (5/52; 10%). HLA-B*5801 and HLA-B*1302 were associated with allopurinol-induced DRESS. HLA-B*1301 was related to salazosulphapyridine-induced DRESS. The mortality rate was 6% (3/52). Epstein-Barr virus DNA was found in 10 patients (19%) and indicated a poor prognosis. Human herpes virus 6 DNA was detected in 17 patients (33%) and was associated with autoimmune sequelae. Due to its high medical cost and sometimes poor prognosis, prevention of DRESS should be a high priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) is a common cause of viral infection in humans, recognized for causing exanthema subitem during the first two years of life. Chronic inflammatory states in different autoimmune diseases can be associated with an immunosuppressed microenvironment. We report a case of HHV-6-associated meningitis in a patient with psoriasis. A 36-year-old man with a history of psoriasis presented with worsening bifrontal headache as well as painful oral lesions on the tongue and soft palate. Computed tomographic (CT) scan of the brain was nondiagnostic. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was diagnostic for HHV-6 infection and was treated with intravenous ganciclovir for two weeks. This case report highlights the emergence of HHV-6 infections in people with underlying mild immune disorders, such as psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis, such as in this patient, could be related to viral infections not typically seen among adults., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Makhoul Wahbah et al.)

Human herpes virus (HHV) infections are dangerous during the early stages of pregnancy. Circulatory disorders of theendometrium from the uterine arteries pose a threat to the implantation of the embryo and the formation of the structure of chorionic villi. Oxygenation of the placental blood gets disrupted.

A pathogenic (biological or chemical) stimulus is the earliest information received by a cell that can result in the disruption of homeostasis with consequent development of disease. Chronic inflammation involves many cell types with numerous cytokines and signaling pathways, the release of different components by the cells, and the crosstalk provoked by such stimuli involving subclinical chronic inflammation and is mechanistically manifold. Exosomes secrete chemicals that trigger the epithelium to produce exosome-like nanoparticles promoting chronic inflammation. Small molecules, together with various cytokines, selectively target signaling pathways inducing crosstalk that suppress apoptosis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing has become routine to provide information on the composition and abundance of bacteria found in human tissues and in reservoirs. The deregulation of autophagy with chronic stimulation of inflammation is an early phenomenon in carcinogenesis. The disruption of cell–cell integrity enables transcellular CagA migration and triggers deregulation of autophagy with the net result being chronic inflammation. The complex and insidious nature of chronic inflammation can be seen both inside and outside the cell and even with intracellular nuclear fragments such as chromatin, which itself can elicit a chronic inflammatory response within the cytoplasm and affect autophagy. The ultimate result of unresolved chronic inflammation is fibrosis, a step before tissue remodeling results in the formation of a precancerous niche (PCN). Various pathogenic stimuli associated with different neoplasms result in persistent inflammation. This ongoing disruption of homeostasis in the micromilieu of cells, tissues, and organs is an essential preamble to carcinogenesis and occurs early in that process.

Pityriasis rosea is an acute, self-limited papulosquamous dermatosis of the trunk and extremities. Many atypical forms of the disease have been reported in the literature [Ahmed et al.: Clin Exp Dermatol 2000;25:624–626; Imamura et al.: Dermatologica 1985;171:474–477]. It is rare to find pityriasis rosea in multiple family members (within a household) at the same time. There have been only 4 reported cases where a couple has contracted pityriasis rosea simultaneously [Miller et al.: Arch Derm Syphilol 1941;44:66–68; Niles et al.: Arch Derm Syphilol 1940;41:264].

Objective: The contribution of human herpes viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) to morbidity and mortality after burns remains controversial. This systematic review was undertaken to assess evidence of herpes virus-related morbidity and mortality in burns.Materials and Methods: PubMed, Ovid, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies of HSV, CMV, or VZV infections in burn patients. Exclusion criteria included: A level of evidence (LoE) of IV or V; nonhuman in vivo studies; and non-English articles. There was no limitation by publication date.Results: Fifty articles were subjected to full-text analysis. Of these, 18 had LoE between I-III and were included in the final review (2 LoE I, 16 LoE II-III). Eight had a prospective study design, 9 had a retrospective study design, and 1 included both.Conclusions: No direct evidence linked CMV and HSV infection with increased morbidity and mortality in burns. Following burn, CMV reactivation was more common than a primary CMV infection. Active HSV infection impaired wound healing but was not directly correlated to mortality. Infections with VZV are rare after burns but when they occur, VZV infections were associated with severe complications including mortality. The therapeutic effect of antiviral agents administered after burns warrants investigation via prospective randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral infections in pregnancy are major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Infections develop in the neonate transplacentally, perinatally or postnatally. Objective: To determine the frequency of cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus-1antigens in product of conceptus tissues of pregnant women with spontaneous abortion and to study the association of the various socio-demographic and antenatal factors. Methods: Fifty (50) product of conceptus tissues samples were collected during the period from September 2013 till April 2014 from pregnant women with spontaneous abortion attended at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in Baqubah city. All sociodemographic and antenatal characteristics such as age, education level, economic level, occupation, residence, gestational age, history of abortion and gravity were recorded. Human cytomegalovirus and human herpes virus-1 antigens were detected by immunohistochemistry technique in Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Diyala. Results: Among 50 formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded product of conceptus tissues blocks, the results showed that positivity frequency of human cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus-1 antigens were 36% (18 out of 50) for each one. Patients age varied from (15-45) years with mean of 29.48 years. The highest rate of viral infection was diagnosed in the age 26-35 years. Multiple variables regarding frequencies of cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus-1antigens simultaneously, was evaluated, and none of the variables had significant difference. Conclusion: Human cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus-1 seems to play a significant role in first trimester pregnancy loss and its infection rate is comparable with that in the other countries, also pregnant women in Baqubah city may have the risk for acquiring viral infection during pregnancy and consequently adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokines and chemokines induced by primary human herpes virus (HHV)-6B infection may play a critical role in the clinical manifestations of infection. In this study, we analyzed 40 cytokines/chemokines in febrile children with primary HHV-6B infection. Blood samples from 233 febrile and 36 afebrile patients 0–3 years of age were used for this study. In febrile patients, primary HHV-6B infection was determined by detection of HHV-6B DNA without anti-HHV-6 immunoglobulin G in the blood (HHV-6B group). Infection by other pathogens was assumed when HHV-6B DNA was not detected in the blood (non-HHV-6B group). Of the 233 febrile patients, 30 patients (13%) were diagnosed with primary HHV-6B infection. To analyze serum cytokines/chemokines, patients were randomly chosen from the HHV-6B (n = 25) and non-HHV-6B groups (n = 8). Sera from 25 afebrile patients were used as a control. When comparing the levels of 40 cytokines/chemokines between the HHV-6B and control groups, we found that four chemokines (chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand [CXCL] 11, CXCL10, CXCL16, and chemokine [C-C motif] ligand [CCL] 2) were significantly upregulated in the HHV-6B group compared with those in the control. Of these, only CXCL11 levels were significantly higher in the HHV-6B group than in the non-HHV-6B group. Because the induction of CCL2 was already reported in an early study, we found, for the first time, the induction of three new chemokines, i.e., CXCL11, CXCL10, and CXCL16 in patients with primary HHV-6B infection. Importantly, we demonstrated that serum CXCL11 levels increased specifically in patients with HHV-6B infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]