Human Herpesvirus Type Research Articles

Clinical utility of the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel in children at a tertiary center in South Korea

BackgroundWe retrospectively evaluated the pathogens in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pediatric meningitis/encephalitis (M/E) by FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel (FA-MEP), and the characteristics of children showing positive and negative FA-MEP results. MethodFA-MEP along with conventional tests (bacterial/viral cultures, and polymerase chain reaction tests) was performed in children who presented symptoms of M/E. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed to evaluate the characteristics of children with pathogens detected by FA-MEP. ResultsThe CSF specimens from 110 pediatric M/E patients were enrolled. Mean age of the patients was 5.9 ± 5.2 years. Overall positive rate of FA-MEP was 46.4% (51/110). The pathogens detected in the patients were enterovirus (23/51, 45.1%), parechovirus (10/51, 19.6%), S. pneumoniae (7/51, 13.7%), human herpesvirus type 6 (6/51, 11.8%), S. agalactiae (3/51, 5.9%), herpes simplex virus type 2 (1/51, 2.0%), and E. coli (1/51, 2.0%). Aseptic meningitis (OR, 3.24, 95% CI, 1.18–12.73) and a duration of <2 days from onset of symptoms to CSF test (OR, 3.56, 95% CI, 0.1–0.91) significantly contributed to detection of pathogens by the FA-MEP. Among the 14 children who were administered empiric antibiotics before the CSF test, the detection rate was significantly higher in the FA-MEP than in the conventional test (28.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.031). ConclusionsFA-MEP had a higher detection rate in children with M/E compared with conventional tests, particularly aseptic meningitis, and in case of shorter duration of time-to-test. This test was more effective than the conventional test in pediatric M/E patients that had been administered empiric antibiotics.

An exploration of cancer-related mortality attributable to infections in Italy

Abstract Background Previous attempts estimated the impact of infectious agents on cancer incidence in Italy, but the burden of carcinogenic infections on cancer mortality remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a preliminary analysis in order to estimate this burden at country level. Methods We applied the global, regional, or national population attributable fractions for Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) - all microorganisms ranked as group 1 carcinogenic agents in human beings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer - to 2015 cancer-related deaths recorded according to the 10th International Classification of Diseases coding system in Italy. Results We estimated a total of 14,120 deaths attributable to carcinogenic infections, being 8.3% of the total of cancer-related deaths (n = 170,339). 58.8% of those occurred in men. H. pylori, HCV, HBC, and HPV accounted for 96.4% of the whole mortality burden attributable to carcinogenic infections in both sexes. H. pylori was responsible for 8,116 (57.5%) deaths due to gastric carcinoma (non-cardia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Hepatitis-related liver cancer accounted for a total 4,372 deaths: 3,812 due to HCV infection and 560 to HBV. Cancers related to HPV infection represented the third most frequent cause of deaths due to carcinogenic infections in women. Conclusions We estimated that one out of 12 cancer deaths in Italy was attributable to an infection sustained by carcinogenic agents. Such mortality burden is potentially avoidable, given that these infections are both potentially preventable and treatable. Thus, these estimates provide actionable metric of the burden for the implementation of specific public health measures. Further analyses will provide more accurate estimates of this disease burden. Key messages In Italy, one out of 12 cancer-related deaths is attributable to infections sustained by preventable or treatable carcinogenic agents. These estimates provide metric of carcinogenic infections for the implementation of specific public health measures to avert the related mortality burden.

Sarcoma de Kaposi lingual. Rara variante en paciente VIH positivo. A propósito de un caso.

Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular lesion of intermediate-grade malignant potential affecting skin, mucosa, lymph nodes, and viscera. Four clinical variants have been recognized: classic, African Kaposi sarcoma, immunosuppression-associated Kaposi sarcoma and AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma. Human herpes virus type 8 is implicated as the etiological agent in all of them. We present a 39-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis under treatment, and two months of evolution HIV / AIDS, with a lympangiomatous Kaposi sarcoma in an atypical location. Keywords: Kaposi's sarcoma; HIV; HHV-8; vascular neoplasia; lymphangioma-like Kaposi sarcoma.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus at a tertiary health facility, South-western Nigeria: Clinical presentations and outcome

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a neurocutaneous disease caused by the human alpha herpes virus Type 3 and it is characterized by reactivation of dormant varicella-zoster virus lying within the trigeminal ganglia. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and management outcome of patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus in a tertiary health facility. This was a retrospective study of patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus managed at the Eye Clinic of a tertiary health facility in the South-western part of Nigeria over eight years. There were 17 patients, comprising five males and the mean age at presentation was 54.9±13.7 years. Seven (41.2%) patients were seropositive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) while nine (52.9%) patients had corneal involvement. Fifteen (88.2%) patients had involvement of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve (V1), and one (5.9%) patient each had involvement of the second branch of the trigeminal nerve (V2) and the first two branches of the trigeminal nerve (V1 and V2). All the patients were managed with oral and topical antiviral medications. Ten patients (58.8%) developed postherpetic neuralgia. In conclusion, Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is strongly associated with HIV seropositivity and older age and a significant proportion of patients develop post-herpetic neuralgia necessitating long term management.

Antiviral and healing potential of Sambucus nigra extracts

Nowadays, the application of alternative methods instead of clinical treatment creates a new possibility to prevent the development of diseases. Medicinal plants such as Sambucus nigra have been well known due to their extraordinary properties. The similarity to synthetic substances makes it potentially dependable; however, a high concentration of cyanogenic glycosides may exert detrimental consequences. It has been documented that Sambucus nigra extracts are used against both human and animal viruses, like influenza A and B viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dengue virus (DENV-2), human herpesvirus type 1 (HSV-1) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). Such reports are notably valuable especially considering the widespread usage of commercial drugs, which could be ineffective. This review provides insight on recent research on the health properties of plant Sambucus nigra as an antiviral medication that may help propose new therapy.

Synthesis and Biological Activity of New 7-Amino-oxazolo[5,4-d]Pyrimidine Derivatives.

The synthesis of a series of novel 7-aminooxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines 5, transformations during their synthesis and their physicochemical characteristics have been described. Complete detailed spectral analysis of the intermediates 2–4, the N′-cyanooxazolylacetamidine by-products 7 and final compounds 5 has been carried out using MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical research was carried out to explain the privileged formation of 7-aminooxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines in relation to the possibility of their isomer formation and the related thermodynamic aspects. Additionally, the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 5h was reported. Ten 7-aminooxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines 5 (SCM1–10) were biologically tested in vitro to preliminarily evaluate their immunological, antiviral and anticancer activity. Compounds SCM5 and SCM9 showed the best immunoregulatory profile. The compounds displayed low-toxicity and strongly inhibited phytohemagglutinin A-induced proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of mouse splenocytes. Compound SCM9 caused also a moderate suppression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production in a human whole blood culture. Of note, the compounds also inhibited the growth of selected tumor cell lines and inhibited replication of human herpes virus type-1 (HHV-1) virus in A-549 cell line. Molecular investigations showed that the compounds exerted differential changes in expression of signaling proteins in Jurkat and WEHI-231 cell lines. The activity of SCM5 is likely associated with elicitation of cell signaling pathways leading to cell apoptosis. The compounds may be of interest in terms of therapeutic utility as inhibitors of autoimmune disorders, virus replication and antitumor agents.

Acute Fulminant Cerebral Edema: A Newly Recognized Phenotype in Children With Suspected Encephalitis.

Encephalitis is a severe neurological syndrome associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The California Encephalitis Project (CEP) enrolled patients for more than a decade. A subset of patients with acute and fulminant cerebral edema was noted. All pediatric encephalitis patients with cerebral edema referred to the CEP between 1998 and 2012 were reviewed. A case definition was developed for acute fulminant cerebral edema (AFCE) that included the CEP case definition for encephalitis and progression to diffuse cerebral edema on neuroimaging and/or autopsy, and no other recognized etiology for cerebral edema (eg, organic, metabolic, toxin). Prodromic features, demographic and laboratory data, neuroimaging, and outcomes were compared with non-AFCE encephalitis cases. Of 1955 pediatric cases referred to the CEP, 30 (1.5%) patients met the AFCE case definition. The median age for AFCE and non-AFCE cases was similar: 8.2 years (1-18 years) and 8.0 years (0.5-18 years), respectively. Asian-Pacific Islanders comprised a larger proportion of AFCE cases (44%) compared with non-AFCE cases (14%, P < .01). AFCE cases often had a prodrome of high fever, vomiting, and profound headache. Mortality among AFCE patients was significantly higher than among non-AFCE patients (80% vs 13%, P < .01). A confirmed etiology was identified in only 2 cases (enterovirus, human herpes virus type 6), while 10 others had evidence of a respiratory pathogen.Thirty pediatric patients referred to the California Encephalitis Project with a unique, and often fatal, form of encephalitis are reported. Demographic and clinical characteristics, possible etiologies and a proposed case definition for acute fulminant cerebral edema (AFCE) are described. AFCE is a recently recognized phenotype of encephalitis with a high mortality. AFCE may be triggered by common pediatric infections. Here, we propose a case definition.

New insights in COVID-19–associated chilblains: A comparative study with chilblain lupus erythematosus

New insights in COVID-19–associated chilblains: A comparative study with chilblain lupus erythematosus

Tetranucleotide Profile of Herpesvirus DNA

Introduction. Herpesvirus DNAs (about 90% of the total genomic sequences of the Herpesvirales family presented in GenBank) contain at a minimum concentration one of the two tetranucleotides, CTAG or TCGA. The “underrepresentation” of CTAG was previously observed only in the DNA of some bacteria and phages. The aim of the study was the further analysis of the formal characteristics of herpesvirus DNA, as well as their comparison with the density of the virus/host DNA microhomology and with the genomic macrostructure of herpes viruses.Materials and methods. Twenty strains and isolates of each of the five types of human herpes viruses (HHV1, HHV2, HHV3, HHV4, HHV5), 10 strains of HHV8, 5 strains of HHV6A, 4 strains of HHV6B and 3 strains of HHV7 were analyzed. GenBank tools were used to determine the frequency of tetranucleotides, and human DNA fragments with size matched herpesvirus DNA were used for comparison.Results. Minimum CTAG concentration in DNA of herpes viruses is mainly characteristic of two- and singlesegment genomes with direct or inverted terminal repeats (classes A,D,E), while the minimum TCGA density is characteristic mainly for DNA that is significantly less structured (classes B,C,F). By increasing CTAG density, human herpes viruses form a sequence close to the sequence of increasing the homology density of 20 nt with human DNA, which also correlates with the macrostructure of DNA. A parallel of this minimization with the DNA structure of herpes viruses or with their belonging to one or another subfamily — as well as the context of the “minimal” CpG (that is, TCGA) — is not noted in the literature. Although herpesvirus DNA is quite large (125– 295 Kb), some of them (for example, HHV4, HHV5 and HHV7 DNA) show noticeable deviations from the second DNA parity rule, and can thus serve as a component of the molecular signature.The Discussion suggests possible hypotheses for the origin of some of the observed phenomena.

Prospective study of blood viral load of Epstein-Barr virus, herpes virus type 6 and human parvovirus B19 in Crohn's disease: Does therapy matter?

The interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and DNA viruses, such as Epstein-Barr (EBV), human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) and human herpes type 6 (HHV6) is scarcely studied. The main aim of this prospective study is to screen for EBV, HSV6, and HPVB19 DNA viremia in adult patients with stable Crohn's disease (CD), correlating the results with IBD treatment. From July 2015 - March 2017, 100 patients were enrolled and divided in four groups of 25 participants each, according to in course treatment. Blood collections were performed every 5 months in all patients. Antibodies for EBV and HPVB19 were screened and repeated if negative. Blood EBV DNA, HPVB19 DNA, and HHV6 DNA were quantified by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Patients had evidence of EBV (100 %) and HPVB19 (70 %) past infection. Across the study timeline, EBV-DNA, HPVB19-DNA, and HHV6-DNA were detected in the blood of 25, 11, and 7 patients, respectively. Viremia was detected only once in 72 %, 73 %, and 86 % of the patients in the studied period, for EBV, HPVB19, and HHV6, respectively. We did not find significant differences between treatment groups, independently of the viral cut-off for the three viruses. The detection of EBV, HPVB19, and HHV6 viremia, in stable CD patients, was not impacted by biological/immunosuppressant therapy. Although attractive as a non-invasive technique, this approach did not prove to be useful in stable patients. More and larger studies are needed to address the relevance of these viruses on IBD course, in stable patients and during exacerbations.

Herpesviruses oral shedding and viremia in renal transplant recipients: A longitudinal study.

The objective was to assess the oral shedding and viremia of human herpesviruses in renal transplant recipients. This is a cohort study in which the participants were examined in three different periods: the first within 24hours before renal transplantation and the second and third ones 15-20 and 45-60days after the transplantation. Mouthwash and blood samples were collected in each period and then submitted to screening for the presence of eight types of human herpesviruses by using multiplex PCR. HSV-1 and EBV were more frequent in the saliva after renal transplantation, 15- to 20-day period after the transplant. EBV was found in the saliva of 26 (35.6%) patients before renal transplantation and in 56.2% and 46.6% of them, in the 15- to 20-day and 45- to 60-day periods after the transplant, respectively. High detection rates (75.3%-78.1%) were found for HHV-7 despite the lack of significant variations between the study periods. There was no concordance between herpesviruses oral shedding and viremia. We concluded that the pattern of excretion of HSV-1 and EBV in saliva is changed immediately after renal transplantation, increasing in the 15- to 20-day period after the transplant surgery. No concordance between herpesviruses oral shedding and viremia was observed.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with primary effusion lymphoma

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma confined to body cavities and universally associated with human herpesvirus type 8 infection. The prognosis of this entity remains poor, with a median survival time of 6 to 9 months. To better understand the clinicopathologic features of the disease and identify possible prognostic factors, we performed a systematic review of the literature for cases of PEL, including 2 previously unreported cases from our institution. PEL was more prevalent in men (92%), with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years. The median overall survival for the entire series was 6 months. Peritoneal involvement (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.06–2.48) and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (HR:2.50; 95% CI:1.21–5.19) were associated with higher risk of death, while pericardial involvement (HR:0.43; 95% CI:0.20–0.94) was associated with lower risk of death. Therefore, effusion site and serum LDH levels are potential prognostic factors in patients with PEL.

Children With Fever Without a Source: Use of Blood PCR Testing

Research Article| May 01 2020 Children With Fever Without a Source: Use of Blood PCR Testing AAP Grand Rounds (2020) 43 (5): 53. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.43-5-53 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Children With Fever Without a Source: Use of Blood PCR Testing. AAP Grand Rounds May 2020; 43 (5): 53. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.43-5-53 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: fever, polymerase chain reaction, bacterial infection, serious Source: L’Huillier AG, Mardegan C, Cordey S, et al. Enterovirus, parechovirus, adenovirus and herpes virus type 6 viraemia in fever without source. Arch Dis Child. 2020; 105(2): 180– 186; doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-317382Google Scholar Investigators from Geneva, Switzerland, conducted a prospective cross-sectional study to assess whether rates of serious bacterial infection (SBI) differed among children with fever without a source (FWS) who were, or were not, positive for human enterovirus (HEV), human parechovirus (HPeV), adenovirus (AdV), and human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6). Children <3 years old were eligible if they presented to the study institution’s ED with fever for <7 days and had no identified focus of infection on exam. Participants received usual care and had blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for HEV, HPeV, AdV, and HHV-6. Treating physicians remained blinded to PCR test results. A control group of similarly aged children without FWS presenting to dental or fracture clinics were enrolled and received PCR testing. Among participants with FWS, demographics, clinical symptoms and course, and laboratory findings were abstracted from the medical chart. The primary exposure variable was PCR test results, with participants considered positive if either HEV, HPeV, AdV, or HHV-6 were detected. The primary outcome was rate of SBI, defined as a positive blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture judged not to be a contaminant. Secondary outcomes included rates of hospital admission and receipt of antibiotics. Investigators compared the prevalence of virus detection among participants with FWS to controls as well as outcomes among virus-positive and virus-negative participants with FWS. There were 135 participants with FWS and 50 controls included in analysis. There were significantly more participants with FWS (vs controls) who had a least one virus detected (34.8% vs 6%; P < .001). The most common virus detected in participants with FWS was HEV. Blood, urine, or CSF cultures were obtained in 96%, 94%, and 26% of participants with FWS, respectively, with no difference between virus-negative and virus-positive groups in whether cultures were obtained. Among those with culture results, there were significantly higher rates of SBI in virus-negative (vs virus-positive) participants (20.5% vs 4.3%; P = .011). All SBIs in the virus-positive group were UTIs. There was no difference between the 2 groups in receipt of antibiotics, but significantly fewer virus-positive participants were hospitalized. The investigators conclude that HEV, HPeV, AdV, and HHV-6 are common in children with FWS and are associated with a lower risk of SBI. Dr Chung has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. Identifying the source of fever in young children in the absence of other symptoms continues to be the subject of much debate, in large part related to the extent to which clinicians test for SBI, treat with antibiotics, and hospitalize patients for further evaluation and monitoring.1,2 Over the past 3 decades, investigators have proposed a number... You do not currently have access to this content.

Expression analysis of apoptotic and survival genes in blood leukocytes of children with various forms of HHV-6 infection

Despite that human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) is extremely spread worldwide, molecular mechanisms of behind HHV-6 infection pathogenesis remain largely unexplored. No molecular markers were found linked to unfavorable course of HHV-6 infection which could allow to ease up selecting proper therapy and preventing development of complications. The aim of the study was to analyze expression of apoptosis and survival-related genes in blood leukocytes from 7–17-year-old children upon various forms of HHV-6 infection. The analysis was carried out by using DNA microarrays developed by us allowing to assess changes in expression level both of individual mRNAs and total gene set (-Σ). It was shown that during the acute phase of HHV-6 infection mRNA level was shifted toward pro-apoptotic factors. In the convalescence phase, most altered mRNA levels returned to normal. We have identified a set of mRNAs and genes whose expression level was significantly changed in acute disease phase. According to available data, these factors play an important role in regulation of studied signaling pathways. In order to search for HHV-6-associated factors, which markedly affect disease pattern of severe herpesvirus mixed infection, we analyzed significant changes of mRNA and genes expression levels in patients with severe HHV-6+EBV+CMV mixed infection and EBV+CMV mixed infection of moderate severity compared with healthy donors. The levels of 5 mRNAs (FAF1-NM_007051, DAPK2-NM_014326, CASP8AP2-NM_001137667, CASP8-NM_033356, BTK-NM_001287345) and 3 genes (FAS-Σ, Puma/BBC3-Σ, ITCH-Σ) were significantly increased in severe mixed infection comorbid with HHV-6 (EBV+CMV+HHV-6) but without HHV-6 (EBV+CMV) compared with healthy donors. Most of detected factors belong to Fas-mediated apoptosis pathway, and may be considered as candidate prognostic development factors of severe herpes virus infection involving HHV-6. This study profoundly extends existing understanding on molecular pathogenesis of HHV-6 infection involving apoptosis and pro-survival signaling pathways. Marked changes of mRNA and gene levels most likely contributed to the pathogenesis of HHV-6 as well as severe HHV-6+EBV+CMV mixed infection.

Outbreak of Encephalitis Caused by Human Herpesvirus Type 1 (HSV-1) in NonHuman Captive Primates in São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Human herpesvirus type 1 (HSV-1), a Alphaherpesvirinae, has a broad range of cross-species infectivity with considerable variation in expression and disease severity among different hosts. Infection in humans, results in mild disease characterized by mucocutaneous lesions. In some species of nonhuman primates, however, the infection can be lethal. Transmission occurs through food contaminated by humans with labial herpes, offered to monkeys, constituting an important anthropozoonosis. In this study, we describe the occurrence of two outbreaks of encephalitis caused by HSV-1, occurring in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The first outbreak affected a Brown howler monkey and three marmosets. The Brown howler monkey had tongue ulcers and enteritis and the marmosets were found dead without presenting clinical symptomatology. The second outbreak affected ten marmosets that were found dead suddenly in the enclosure without presenting symptoms or clinical signs. Organ fragments were processed for transmission electron microscopy, histopathology and inoculation in cell culture techniques. Ballooning degeneration, foci of monolymphocytic inflammatory reaction, corpuscle of eosinophilic inclusion, monolymphocytic meningitis and desquamative monolymphocytic enterocolitis, were the main lesions observed by histopathology. By the negative staining technique, enveloped and non-enveloped, herpesvirus particles were found, measuring 120-200 nm in diameter in all samples of organ fragments. The presence of aggregates formed by antigenantibody complex, characterized the positive result obtained in the immunoelectron microscopy technique for HSV-1. Using the immunocytochemistry technique, the antigen-antibody interaction was strongly enhanced by the colloidal gold particles over the herpesvirus, confirming the presence of HSV-1. Intranuclear incomplete particles measuring 80-100 nm in diameter and complete or enveloped scattered in the cytoplasm, were visualized in ultrathin sections of liver and cell culture measuring 140 nm of diameter. Immature particles budding from cell membranes were also observed. In viral isolation in VERO cells, typical cytopathic effect was observed in brain samples.

Enterovirus, parechovirus, adenovirus and herpes virus type 6 viraemia in fever without source

ObjectivesTo evaluate the potential associations between fever without a source (FWS) in children and detection of human enterovirus (HEV), human parechovirus (HPeV), adenovirus (AdV) and human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6)...

Nepeta nuda ssp. nuda L. water extract: Inhibition of replication of some strains of human alpha herpes virus (genus simplex virus) in vitro, mode of action and NMR-based metabolomics

Nepeta nuda L. has been used in traditional folk medicine for its diuretic, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, spasmolytic, sedative and analgesic properties (attributed to the nepetalactones). In the present study, water extract from Nepeta nuda ssp. nuda L. was tested in order to study its’ effect on the replication of Human Alpha herpes virus (HHV) type 1, strain F (ACV-sensitive) and type 2, strain DD (ACV-resistant) in vitro. Toxicity was measured at 48 h (CC50 = 7.35 mg/ml ±0.06) and 72 h (CC50 = 4.488 mg/ml ±0.308) after infection. The extract showed potent anti-herpesvirus activity in both antiviral tests performed (MTT-based colorimetric assay and yield reduction assay). By the time the extract was added, two experimental arrangements were applied. The antiviral activity increased when water extract was added simultaneously with the inoculation of the cell monolayer (EC50 of 0.66 mg/ml ±0.04 and 0.788 mg/ml ±0.009 for the F and the DD strains, respectively, measured via colorimetric assay). The IC50 value was 0.181 mg/ml ±0.073 and 0.0888 mg/ml ±0.014 for the F and the DD strains, respectively, measured via yield reduction assay. Unfortunately, selectivity for viral versus cellular molecular targets (SI) was low except for the SI values (40.60 and 82.77 for the F and the DD strains, respectively) obtained via the yield reduction assay when water extract was added simultaneously with the inoculation of the cell monolayer. In both types of antiviral assays water extract retained activity against the ACV-resistant DD strain. The virucidal assay showed that water extract did not reduce the infectivity of either of the strains used at a concentration equal to the maximum non-toxic concentration. Therefore, the above-mentioned rise in the antiviral activity detected in experimental settings when the extract was added immediately after inoculation is not due to direct inactivation of the extracellular virions. Rather, it is due to interference with the adsorption but not the penetration (according to the results of the conducted experiment). The time of addition test demonstrated that the water extract continued to exhibit antiviral activity even when added 10 h after infection. All these observations suggest that water extract exibits its anti-herpesvirus activity by influencing both early (adsorption) and late events of HHV replication. Metabolomic studies of the extract showed that the major phenolic acids present in the extract include rosmarinic, chlorogenic, gallic, vanillic, caffeic, protocatechuic, ferulic and cinnamic acids; while the presence of flavonoids was marked by cirsimaritin, chrysoeriol, vanillin, rutin and quercetin.

Kaposi’s Disease (KS) in a Senegalese Child Living with HIV

Kaposi’s Disease or Kaposi’s Sarcoma (SK ) is a multifocal malignant proliferation induced by viral growth factors, including interleukin 6 of human herpes virus type 8 (HHV8). We describe four forms of this disease who poses a real public health problem in East and Central Africa. The purpose of our observation was to report a rare condition in a Senegalese HIV-positive child. It was an 11-year-old girl from a region in central Senegal. She was an orphan of both parents, tested and monitored since the age of 5 for HIV infection 1. She was on the 1st line protocol. Due to a lack of support and good observance, she was referred to us at the age of 11 for follow-up in our structure in the suburbs of Dakar. The initial follow-up assessment showed a very low CD4 count and a very high viral load. Before the lack of clinical and immune-virological response, a genotypic resistance test was performed and showed immunological and virological failure. The initial development was marked by the appearance of lesions which were highly suggestive of Kaposi’s disease. She was on 2nd line treatment. The histopathological aspect of cutaneous biopsy was very suggestive of Kaposi’s disease. The subsequent course after ART and bleomycin treatment was clinically marked by regression of skin lesions. Virologically, it was marked by a fall in the viral load. Immunologically there was a gradual recovery of CD4 levels which came back to normal. Our observation demonstrates that absence of effective antiretroviral therapy for HIV increases the risk to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Формирование очагов герпесвирусных инфекций в семьях

Objective. To analyze circulation of herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human herpes virus type six (HHV-6) within families, to evaluate the conditions of formation of family foci, and to identify possible sources of infection. Patients and methods. We examined 124 families, including 11 two-parent families (mother, father, and child) and 108 oneparent families (mother and child). Five families had a mother and two children. Antibodies of various classes against herpesviruses were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Herpesvirus antigens were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay; early antigens and herpesvirus reproduction were evaluated using culture method; viral DNA was identified using polymerase chain reaction. Results. We have revealed a high rate of infection with herpesviruses in both adults and children. Markers of infections caused by HSV and EBV were detected in the majority of mothers (96.0% and 90.3%; 119 and 112), while children had these infections less frequently (66.7% in each group (86)). Detection of active forms of infection and convalescents, both among children and adults, indicates an intensive circulation of herpesviruses within families and leads to the formation of family foci of infection. Active infections were primarily caused by CMV (20.2% of children, 17.8% of mothers, and 15.4% of fathers) and EBV (16.3% of children, 11.3% of mothers, and 9.1% of fathers). Out of 266 participants examined (mothers, fathers, and children), cases of acute mixed infection were observed in children only (4 of 129) and were caused by HHV-6 in combination with HSV (2 cases) or CMV (2 cases). Conclusion. Continuous and intensive circulation of herpesviruses in families leads to the formation of family foci of infection. To stop intra-family transmission of viruses, it is important to identify possible sources of infection and perform antiepidemic measures. This transmission is most likely to occur in families where the mother has markers of active or recent infection, while the child does not have them at all. Such combination was detected in 16 patients with EBV (12.4%), 10 patients with HHV-6 (7.8%), 6 patients with HSV (4.7%), and 5 patients with CMV (3.9%). It is crucial to identify the role of the child as a source of herpesvirus infection. Key words: herpesvirus infections, infection markers, family foci, cytomegalovirus infection.

Identification and Pathogenic Potential of Orofacial Herpetic Clinical Isolates in Northeast Mexico

<i>Background</i> Herpes simplex viruses 1 (human herpes virus types 1, HSV-1) often cause recurrent infections that affect the skin, mouth, lips, and eyes and eventually induce herpetic encephalitis. A high percentage of the population is infected with HSV-1 in which it produces a variety of these orofacial disease. In Mexico, there are no studies to determine the effects of viral virulence of clinical facial dermal isolates of active infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus 1. <i>Objective</i> of this work was to compare the herpetic activity of human clinical isolates from northeast Mexico against HSV-1 KOS as reference strain, which induces experimental murine model keratitis disease produced by infecting mouse corneas. <i>Methods and Materials</i> we compared several clinical isolate of HSV-1 obtained from 25 patients diagnosed with HSV-1 active, according to acyclovir (ACV) susceptibility, thymidine kinase (TK) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and experimental Balb/c mice model as viral infections <i>in vivo</i> were evaluated. Results we found that several clinical isolates showed ACV resistance (48%) and pathogenic potential (PP) differences that caused ocular infection more or less than reference HSV-1 KOS strain. In <i>Conclusion</i>, some clinical isolate from northeast Mexico shown differences that caused ocular infection more or less than reference HSV-1 KOS strain.