Detection of herpes simplex virus in first trimester pregnancy loss using molecular techniques.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of early pregnancy loss is multifactorial and may include viral pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in gestational tissues of first trimester pregnancy loss using molecular techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Gestational tissue from 95 women with first trimester pregnancy loss and 36 women with elective termination of pregnancy was investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization techniques. RESULTS: HSV was detected by the nested PCR technique in 41 out of the 95 (43.2%) cases of early pregnancy loss and in 6 out of the 36 (16.7%) cases of elective pregnancy termination (p=0.03). The HSV-positive cases in the early pregnancy loss group were observed between the 6th and the 12th gestational week and mostly in the 9th, 8th and 6th week. The in situ hybridization technique was successful in 18 out of 25 PCR-positive cases (72%) and revealed that the hybridization signal was mostly localized in the nuclei of the decidual and intermediate trophoblastic cells and less commonly in the chorionic villous trophoblastic cells. CONCLUSION: HSV seems to play a significant role in first trimester pregnancy loss and its detection by sensitive and accurate molecular techniques would permit prompt antiviral therapy for a successful future pregnancy.

Herpes simplex virus as a determinant risk factor for coronary artery atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Viruses have been detected in atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic vascular tissues and may be involved in the mechanisms of atherogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the early and late stages of coronary artery atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: HSV prevalence was investigated in coronary artery samples from 42 autopsy cases, in which death was related to myocardial infarction (MI), and 28 young age autopsy cases without heart disease, who had died from fatal injuries (young victim group), using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and the highly sensitive in situ hybridization with tyramide signal amplification (ISH-TSA). HSV was detected by nPCR in 18 out of 42 (43%) myocardial infarction cases and in 7 out of 28 (25%) young victim group cases, respectively. Using ISH-TSA, HSV DNA was detected in the coronary arteries of the MI group in 16 out of 42 (38%) of the cases; the hybridization signal was localized in the nuclei of endothelial cells, the nuclei of smooth muscle cells, the macrophages around the atheroma, and in the lymphocytes infiltrating the vascular wall. In the young victim group, HSV DNA was detected by ISH-TSA in 7 out of 28 (25%) autopsy cases; the signal was localized in the endothelial and the intimal spindle cells of the coronary arteries. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that HSV seems to play a significant role in the initiation and progression of coronary atherosclerosis, and may open new perspectives in preventing the development of vascular damage via an appropriate antiviral treatment.

Detection of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the semen of men with fertility problems. DESIGN: A descriptive clinical study. SETTINGS: Outpatient infertility clinic of a private hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirteen men attending an infertility clinic in Athens. INTERVENTION(S): Semen samples were collected by masturbation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Detection of HSV, CMV, and EBV in semen by a nested polymerase chain reaction technique. Complete spermogram including sperm count, motility, pH, viscosity, and morphology. RESULT(S): Viral DNA was detected by the nested polymerase chain reaction technique in 64 (56.6%) of 113 semen samples. Specifically, HSV DNA was detected in 56 (49.5%) semen samples, EBV DNA in 19 (16.8%) semen samples, and CMV DNA in 8 (7.1%) semen samples. HSV was significantly related to low sperm count and poor motility. In contrast, CMV and EBV did not show any association with sperm concentration and motility. CONCLUSION(S): Herpes simplex virus seems to play a significant role in male infertility, and its early detection by the nested polymerase chain reaction technique will permit successful antiviral therapy to increase the possibility for fertility restoration and long-term protection of the sperm quality. Finally, the detection of herpes viruses within semen will allow better control of the transmission of these viruses.