Genital Herpesvirus Research Articles

Stress reduction treatment of severe recurrent genital herpes virus

Four individuals with high-frequency recurrences of genital herpes virus of at least 2 years' duration were treated with two behavioral stress-reduction treatments. Subjects were given 10 weekly sessions of frontalis EMG biofeedback (2 subjects) or progressive muscle relaxation treatment (2 subjects). Presession and postsession frontalis EMG measures were recorded for all subjects across treatment. Outcome was measured by daily and weekly symptom charting mailed in weekly over 6 months, or by telephone interview after 6 months. Results demonstrated substantial improvement in reported symptoms with both treatments. Relaxation treatment resulted in a 66% and 100% reduction in frequency of recurrences. Frontalis EMG biofeedback resulted in a 72% and 7% reduction in frequency of recurrences. Follow-up at 1-year posttreatment showed that treatment effects were maintained by one subject, partially maintained by two, and reversed in one subject. The need for controlled investigation is emphasized.

Cigarette smoking, herpes simplex virus type 2 infection, and cervical abnormalities.

In a case-control study, we investigated the relation of cigarette smoking and genital herpes virus infection to cervical abnormalities. Although cases and controls differed according to several factors, multiple logistic analyses indicated that age, education, and cigarette smoking were the only independent risk factors for histologically confirmed disease. Relative risk estimates were 1.92 and 3.68 for past and current smokers, respectively. The results indicated that smoking and genital herpes infection did not interact in the risk of cervical abnormality.

Knowledge and attitudes of university health service clients about genital herpes: implications for patient education and counseling.

Abstract Genital herpes virus infection is an important target for health education efforts because of its apparently rising incidence in the college student population and because it can have potentially serious psychological as well as medical consequences. In order to better understand the health education and counseling needs of students, the present study surveyed knowledge and attitudes about genital herpes of 190 university students using a gynecology clinic and of 161 students using a general medical clinic. The students were found to have a high degree of familiarity with the disease, its cause, and mode of transmission, but tended to view the consequences of the disease as more severe than is actually warranted by the common medical complications. There was some degree of misinformation about prevention and treatment of the disease and some negative attitudes about patients suffering from it, but the survey respondents endorsed a high level of responsible behavior with regard to the disease and ...

Inapparent genital herpes simplex infection in women attending a venereal disease clinic.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic genital infection with herpes simplex virus in women attending a venereal disease clinic in Puerto Rico. Genital samples were obtained from 123 consecutively enrolled patients. Vero cells were used for viral isolation; isolates demonstrating cytopathic effect were stored at -70 C and were typed by use of monoclonal antibodies. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from six patients, three of whom were free of any possible complaint that might be associated with a genital herpes virus infection. One patient was diagnosed as having herpetic cervicitis, and the remaining two were clinically diagnosed as well as laboratory confirmed cases of genital herpes. Virus isolated from all six women was identified as herpes simplex virus type 2. Thus the prevalence of laboratory confirmed genital herpes infection in women attending this clinic was 4.9% (6/123). Inapparent virus infection was detected in 2.5% (3/120) of the patients.

Evaluation of prodrugs of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine for therapeutic efficacy in the topical treatment of genital herpesvirus infections in guinea pigs.

Prodrugs of the antiviral agent 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (araA), which were more effective than the parent compound in penetrating vaginal membranes in vitro, were synthesized and examined for efficacy in the topical treatment of genital infections with herpes simplex virus type 2 in female guinea pigs. Treatment with 10% araA-5'-monophosphate or 10% araA-5'-monovalerate twice a day for 7 days, starting 6 h after intravaginal inoculation with virus, completely aborted the primary infection. When initiation of treatment was delayed until 24 h postinfection, araA-5'-monophosphate and araA-5'-monovalerate were no longer effective in reducing the mean lesion scores or mean vaginal virus titers. Treatment with 5% acyclovir, starting at 24 h postinfection, failed to prevent genital lesion development but significantly reduced the peak mean lesion score (approximately 50%). Topical therapy with 10% araA-2',3'-diacetate, initiated at 24 h postinfection, was as effective as, if not more effective than, acyclovir in reducing the severity of herpes genitalis in guinea pigs. Treatment with 10% araA-2',3'-dipropionate or 10% araA-2',3'-dibutyrate was without benefit. Among a series of 5'-monoesters of araA, araA-5'-monobutyrate appeared to be the most effective but was less active than araA-2',3'-diacetate. These data indicate that araA-2',3'-diacetate may be an effective antiviral agent for topical use against genital herpesvirus infections.

A trial of topical acyclovir in genital herpes virus infections: Corey L, Nahmias AJ, Guinan ME, et al N Engl J Med 306:1313–1319 Jun 1982

A trial of topical acyclovir in genital herpes virus infections: Corey L, Nahmias AJ, Guinan ME, et al N Engl J Med 306:1313–1319 Jun 1982

Lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor synthesis in initial genital herpesvirus infection: correlation with lymphocyte transformation.

Lymphocyte transformation and production of lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor in response to herpes simplex virus antigen were studied in 15 patients with initial genital herpes and 10 controls. The patients underwent frequent genital examinations, viral cultures, and weekly immunological studies for a period of 11 weeks. The production of lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor was maximal in week 1 of the disease and declined to control levels by week 6. In contrast, lymphocyte transformation was lowest in week 1, reached a maximum by week 4, and declined to control levels by week 11. Production of lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor in week 1 was significantly lower in nine patients who developed signs or symptoms of systemic herpes infection than in six who had localized disease. In addition, a marked but transient decline in the production of this lymphokine was observed in patients at the time of clinical recurrence. Virus-specific lymphocyte transformation correlated inversely with the duration of genital pain and lesions and did not correlate with the presence of systemic signs or symptoms. These findings indicate that during initial genital herpes infection the dynamics of lymphocyte transformation and those of lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor production are different, and that the generation of this lymphokine is an early component of the cellular immune response in this disease. Furthermore, adequate produce of lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor may be important in restricting herpes simplex virus to the genital area and preventing disease recurrence.

Effect of trisodium phosphonoformate in genital infection of female guinea pigs with herpes simplex virus type 2.

A genital herpesvirus type 2 infection in guinea pigs has been used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of phosphonoformate on the infection. An early topical treatment prevented the appearance of vesicles and histopathological changes and no virus could be recovered. When treatment, either topical or both systemic and topical, was delayed to 24 hours post infection no therapeutic effect was observed.

Successful Treatment of Human Genital Herpes Infections With 2-Deoxy-D-glucose

Thirty-six women with genital herpes infections (proved by virological or cytological means) were treated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study with the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose for a three-week period. In initial mucocutaneous cases, 89% were cured, with two recurrences after 24 months; in the case of recurrent or secondary infections, 90% had a notable improvement manifested by no or less-frequent recurrences, fewer lesions, or shortened duration of symptoms. In initial infections, discomfort cleared within 12 to 72 hours of therapy; 90% of the patients were asymptomatic within four days. In both cases, virus shedding was notably reduced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Concomitant controls treated with placebos failed to respond within this time frame. The use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose provides a simple and unique approach to the treatment of genital herpesvirus infections.

Treatment of genital herpes simplex virus infection with photodynamic inactivation

A double-blind randomized study to evaluate the effect of proflavine in the treatment of genital herpesvirus infection was conducted. One hundred fifty-seven women were studied, of whom 75 were treated with proflavine (treated women) and 82 were treated with placebo (control group). There were 62 women with primary disease and 95 with recurrent infection. Under the conditions by which this study was conducted, there was no apparent difference in the time of healing of lesions, development of recurrences, or virus isolation following treatment in the proflavine-treated and control groups.

Preparation and efficacy of an inactivated subunit vaccine (NFUI BHK) against type 2Herpes simplex virus infection

A vaccine against Herpes simplex virus infection was prepared by Nonidet NP 40 and formalin treatment of a type 1, infected-cell extract; virus particles were removed by ultracentrifugation over sucrose. These procedures were not detrimental to the antigenic quality of the vaccine preparation. The vaccine afforded significant protection to experimental type 2 genital herpes virus infection in mice, as adjudged by clinical observations, cytopathological change, and virus yields.

Genital herpesvirus infection in women attending a venereal diseases clinic.

Routine cervical viral cultures (and cultures from lesions if present) were performed on 2630 female patients attending a venereal diseases clinic over a period of four years. Of these patients 96 (3.7%) had genital herpetic infection; of these 23 (24%) were asymptomatic. The association of herpesvirus with other genital infections is considered, but no increase in the incidence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and genital warts was found; there was an increased incidence of Candida albicans. A significantly higher percentage of the patients with herpesvirus took oral contraceptives. The findings are discussed and compared with previous reports.

Recurrent genital herpes among women: symptomatic v. asymptomatic viral shedding.

To investigate whether asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus occurs in women with recurrent genital herpes, six women with documented disease were followed up twice weekly with viral cultures and pelvic examination. During the study period of 1330 patient days and 452 patient visits, 26 episodes of genital herpesvirus infection were recorded. Twenty-three (88%) episodes were accompanied by signs and symptoms. Three (14%) of the culture-positive recurrences were asymptomatic. In one episode an asymptomatic lesion was noted, and in two instances viral shedding from the vulva or cervix occurred in the absence of visible herpetic lesions. Three of the six women had evidence of recurrent cervical herpesvirus infection. No relationships between menstrual cycle and sexual activity and the onset of recurrence were noted.

Effect of pregnancy hormones on herpesvirus and other deoxyribonucleic acid viruses

Clinical impressions and observations of genital herpesvirus infections indicate that lesions are more persistent and more severe during pregnancy. Several explanations are possible: an altered immune state, increased vascularity and blood flow, and/or increased viral infectivity due to increase in one or more hormones during pregnancy. Studies presented here were directed toward investigating the latter possibility. Herpesvirus, type 2, isolated from a genital lesion was titrated in WI-38 cells in the absence and presence of estriol, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human placental lactogen. Two other deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) viruses, adenovirus type 7 and vaccinia virus, were included for control purposes. Although estriol significantly inhibited and hCG significantly enhanced the single-cycle production of herpesvirus, there was little or no effect of these hormones on adenovirus. Progesterone, after 48 hours but not after two hours of preincubation, inhibited production of herpesvirus and vaccinia virus but had no effect on adenovirus. When end-point titers were measured after multiple cycles of viral growth, there were no differences in viral titers with any of the hormones, except for a slight reduction with estriol. Except for the uniform effect of progesterone on DNA viruses, hormonal effects on viral production cannot be generalized from experiments with one virus.

Herpes type-2 virus antibodies in Nigerian children

Herpetic infections of both male and female genital tracts in different age groups and populations have been well documented. In a study of the prevalence of Type-2 (genital) herpes virus infection in children in Ibadan, it was found that the earliest age of infection, as manifested by the presence of virus antibodies, was 14 years; and the incidence was rather low (2.02%). In view of this age of onset, it was concluded that, even though no history of sexual exposure was elicited from those with virus antibodies among the children, a venereal mode of transmission cannot be excluded. However, elucidation of other possible sources of infection is essential since genital herpes virus infection has been known to occur by means other than venereal transmission.

Venereal factors in human cervical cancer.Evidence from marital clusters

All Caucasian women in a large Eastern city who developed pathologically confirmed cervical cancer between 1950 and 1969 are being prospectively followed in an epidemiological test of the venereal hypothesis of cervical carcinogenesis. We are attempting to identify all men who were married to these probands at any time prior to the date of their cancer diagnosis. The ultimate objective is the identification of all the other wives of the proband husbands in order that their risk of cervical cancer be assessed. A random sample of control wives similar to the other wives in age, race, date and place of marriage as well as prior marital status is also being followed. To date, a total of 1,087 other wives and 659 control wives has been fully traced. Cervical cancer or carcinoma in situ was detected in 29 (2.7%) of the other wives and in seven (1.1%) of the control wives. A total of 14.0% of the other wives had either cervical cancer or a cervical cytological specimen which was other than normal. The corresponding statistic for the control wives was 8.0%. These differences in the prevalence of cervical cancer and of non-normal cervical cytology are statistically significant. In the course of this investigation so far, we have identified 29 "marital clusters" of cervical cancer in which two women married to the same man have all developed cervical neoplasms. The observed number of 29 clusters may be compared with an expected number of 11.6. This investigation, as yet incomplete, offers confirmatory evidence of the possible role of venereal factors in the pathogenesis of human cervical neoplasia. While the genital herpesvirus is the likeliest candidate, other venereal elements might also be involved.

Genital Herpesvirus hominis Infection in Mice. II. Treatment with Phosphonoacetic Acid, Adenine Arabinoside, and Adenine Arabinoside 5'-Monophosphate

Genital infection of mice with Herpesvirus hominis type 2 provides an experimental model for screening potential antiviral chemotherapeutic agents before clinical trials in humans. Intravaginal treatment with phosphonoacetic acid (at a dose of 500 mg/kg in saline or as a 5% cream) initiated 3 hr after inoculation with H. hominis type 2 completely inhibited viral replication in the genital tract and prevented subsequent mortality. Although therapy initiated 24-72 hr after infection significantly reduced titers of virus in vaginal secretions from three- to 100-fold, most mice eventually died of encephalitis. Topical treatment with either adenine arabinoside or adenine arabinoside 5'-monophosphate at a dose of 500 mg/kg in saline or as a 10% cream failed to alter viral replication in the genital tract or to protect the mice from death due to encephalitis. Treatment by the intraperitoneal route with any of these three agents had no effect on local viral replication or final mortality.

Acute Ocular Infection by Type 2 Herpes Simplex Virus in Adults

Acute ocular infections in two adults were caused by type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) ("genital herpesvirus"). One patient had an acute blepharoconjunctivitis, the other an acute keratoconjunctivitis. Genital infections had preceded the eye infections, and type 2 HSV was isolated from the eyes of both patients and from the genital lesions of one patient. This strongly suggests transmission of type 2 HSV from the genital site to the eye.

Neonatal Risk Following Late Gestational Genital Herpesvirus Hominis Infection

Sir .—The report by St. Geme et al, which appeared in the March issue of theJournal(129:342, 1975), is interesting anecdotal information. However, their comment that no opportunity was available to modify the delivery of one of the infants is not accurate. The authors noted the fact that genital labial lesions were present four days prior to delivery. The physicians then waited for virologic confirmation that did not become available until the time of delivery. Unfortunately, the authors did not comment on the ability of cytologic smears of lesions, fixed and stained by the Papanicolaou technique, to diagnose herpesvirus infections. Smears of clinically apparent genital lesions that demonstrate the characteristic nuclear changes of herpesvirus are diagnostic for genital herpesvirus infection. This technique is capable of providing answers in terms of hours instead of days, and it is the patient very close to term, or the patient in labor with

Genital herpesvirus hominis infection in mice. I. Development of an experimental model

Pregnant female mice, after intravaginal inoculation with Herpesvirus hominis (HVH) type 2, developed vaginitis on days 5 to 7 after virus challenge, followed by hunching and hind limb paralysis on days 7 to 9 and death from encephalitis on days 9 to 11. After initial replication in the mucous membranes of the genital tract, virus spread to the spinal cord and ascended to involve the brain. Viremia or replication of H. hominis type 2 in the liver or spleen was not detected. Virus was cleared from vaginal secretions by days 8 to 10 after infection. Pregnant mice were more susceptible to the infection than nonpregnant mice. This experimental infection in female mice provides a model for genital herpesvirus infection and for herpesvirus infection and for herpesvirus encephalitis in which one can evaluate potentially promising antiviral chemotherapeutic agents.