Detection of Herpesvirus in ulcerative colitis
Kapranos N, Savva S, Kotronias D, Patra E, Doulgeroglou B, Kokka
E
Pathology and Molecular Pathology Departments, "Amalia Fleming"
Gen. Hospital, Athens
Aim: The detection of herpes simplex virus 1,2 (HSV 1,2),
cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr (EBV) DNA in ulcerative
colitis (UC) biopsies and the correlation of the findings with
clinical and pathological parameters.
Material-Methods: Rectal biopsies from 30 patients with
UC and 9 normal controls were examinated by in situ hybridization
technique using biotin-labeled DNA probes specific for HSV 1,2,
CMV and EBV.
Results: Viral genome of at least one of the studied virus
was detected in the epithelial cell of colonic crypts, in 18 cases
of UC (60%) and in one out of 9 cases (11%) of normal controls
(P=0,02). HSV DNA was detected in 18 cases, CMV DNA in 14 cases
and EBV DNA in 10 cases of UC. As regards the virus combinations
in UC we found: HSV+CMV+EBV: 9 cases (30%), HSV+CMV: 5 cases (16,7%),
HSV+EBV: 1 case (3%) και HSV only: 3 cases (10%). The percentage
of virally labeled nuclei in relation to active and inactive UC
respectively, was 6,3% - 11,3% for HSV, 7% - 5,8% for CMV and
1,5% - 6,4% for EBV. No correlation was found between the prevalence
of viral DNA and indeterminate dysplasia, whereas in cases of
neoplastic dysplasia a tendency toward the decrease of viral
incidence was observed.
Conclusion: Our findings show a high prevalence of viruses
of herpes group in ulcerative colitis, which may play a synergistic
role in the pathogenesis or in reactivation of the disease.
Key words: Herpes, Virus, Ulcerative colitis, hybridization,
Epstein Barr, Cytomegalovirus.
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