In the ovine pituitary, CXCR4 is localized in gonadotropes and somatotropes and increases with elevated serum progesterone.

The pituitary is the central endocrine regulator of reproduction and in addition to various hormones regulating its actions, other molecules, such as chemokines, influence pituitary physiology as well. Despite reports over 2 decades ago that chemokines regulate the pituitary, much of the basic biology discerning chemokine action in the pituitary is unclear. A small number of chemokines and their receptors have been localized to the pituitary, yet chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its receptor, CXCR4, have received the most attention as both are increased in human pituitary adenomas. This chemokine duo was also reported in normal human and rat pituitary, suggestive of a functional role and that this chemokine axis might function in pituitaries from other mammalian species. To date, reports of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in pituitary from livestock are lacking, and research on pituitary during pregnancy in any mammalian species is limited. Moreover, progesterone regulates CXCR4 expression in a tissue-dependent manner, but whether differing concentrations of progesterone reaching the pituitary modulate CXCL12 or CXCR4 is not known. To address these gaps, our first objective was to determine if CXCL12 and CXCR4 expression and protein abundance differ in sheep pituitary during early gestation (days 20, 25, and 30 of gestation) compared to nonpregnant ewes. The second objective was to determine if CXCL12 or CXCR4 production was altered in the ovine pituitary when circulating progesterone concentrations are elevated. The expression of CXCL12 messenger RNA decreased on day 20 of gestation compared to nonpregnant ewes; CXCL12 protein was similar across all days tested. In nonpregnant and pregnant ewes, CXCR4 was localized to somatotropes and gonadotropes on all days tested. Abundance of CXCR4 increased in the pituitary tissue of pregnant ewes with elevated circulating progesterone compared with pregnant ewes with normal circulating progesterone concentrations (control). The present study details CXCL12 and CXCR4 in normal ovine pituitary and reveals that gonadotropes and somatotropes may be regulated by CXCL12/CXCR4, underscoring this signaling axis as a potential new class of modulator in endocrine functions.

Inhibition of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor four (CXCR4) at the fetal-maternal interface during early gestation in sheep: alterations in expression of chemokines, angiogenic factors and their receptors.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4), are involved in significant biological processes associated with early pregnancy including increasing trophoblast invasion and stimulating placental vascularization. To further elucidate functions of CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling during early gestation, our objective was to inhibit CXCR4 in vivo using a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100. We hypothesized that inhibition of CXCR4 would negatively affect chemokine and angiogenic factor regulation imperative for placental development in sheep. Osmotic pumps containing PBS (control) or AMD3100 (CXCR4 antagonist) were surgically installed ipsilateral to the corpus luteum on d 12 of gestation and administered treatments directly into the uterine lumen. Maternal (caruncle and intercaruncle) and fetal membrane tissues were collected on d 23 of gestation and mRNA and protein expression were analyzed for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), fms related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1), hypoxia inducible factor 1 ɑ subunit (HIF1A), CXCL12, and its corresponding receptors (CXCR4 and CXCR7). Immunohistochemical procedures were performed for analysis of CXCL12 and cell proliferation. In caruncle tissue ipsilateral to the pump, mRNA for KDR, ANGPT1, HIF1A, and CXCL12 increased (P < 0.05) in treated ewes compared to control, whereas caruncle tissue contralateral to the pump had increased expression (P < 0.05) of KDR, and CXCL12 in treated ewes. In fetal membrane, CXCR4 mRNA and protein decreased (P < 0.05), while VEGF protein decreased (P < 0.05) in caruncle and fetal membrane tissue from treated ewes. Results from this study highlight the importance of CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling at the fetal-maternal interface. Inhibiting this axis may disrupt typical regulation of angiogenic factors needed for placental development and embryo growth.

Placental development during early pregnancy: Effects of embryo origin on expression of chemokine ligand twelve (CXCL12).

The aim was to localize chemokine ligand twelve (CXCL12) in sheep placental tissues during early gestation and after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Uteri were collected from naturally (NAT) mated ewes and ewes receiving embryo transfer (ET), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or in vitro activation (IVA). CXCL12 was immunolocalized to endometrial stroma, glands, and trophoblast. Greater CXCL12 immunoreactivity was present in trophoblast on day 22 and 24 and in NAT ewes compared to IVF and IVA. Increased CXCL12 expression suggests CXCL12 promotes implantation and placentation. Decreased CXCL12 in IVF and IVA embryos, may compromise pregnancy establishment when utilizing ART methods.

Maternal environment and placental vascularization in small ruminants.

Uteroplacental development is a crucial step facilitating conceptus growth. Normal placental development comprises extensive placental angiogenesis to support fetoplacental transport, meeting the metabolic demands of the fetus. Compromised pregnancies due to maternal stressors such as over or undernutrition, maternal age or parity, altered body mass index, or genetic background result in altered vascular development of the placenta. This negatively affects placental growth and placental function and ultimately results in poor pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, the placenta acts as a sensor to the maternal stressors and undergoes modifications, which some have termed placental programming, to ensure healthy development of the conceptus. Sex steroid hormones such as estradiol-17ß and progesterone, chemokines such as chemokine ligand 12, and angiogenic/vasoactive factors such as vascular endothelial growth factors, placental growth factor, angiopoietins, and nitric oxide regulate uteroplacental development and hence are often used as therapeutic targets to rescue compromised pregnancies. Interestingly, the presence of sex steroid receptors has been identified in the fetal membranes (developing fetal placenta). Environmental steroid mimetics known as endocrine disrupting compounds disrupt conceptus development and lead to transgenerational impairments by epigenetic modification of placental gene expression, which is another area deserving intense research efforts. This review attempts to summarize current knowledge concerning intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting selected reproductive functions with the emphasis on placental development.

Placental development during early pregnancy in sheep: estrogen and progesterone receptor messenger RNA expression in pregnancies derived from in vivo-produced and in vitro-produced embryos.

Sex steroids are important regulators of angiogenesis and growth in reproductive tissues, including the placenta. In experiment (exp.) 1, to examine the expression of a suite of sex steroid receptors throughout early pregnancy, maternal (caruncular [CAR]) and fetal (fetal membranes [FM]) placental tissues were collected on days 14 to 30 after mating and on day 10 after estrus (nonpregnant controls). In exp. 2, to examine the hypothesis that assisted reproductive technology would affect the expression of the same suite of sex steroid receptors, pregnancies were achieved through natural mating (NAT) or transfer of embryos from natural mating (NAT-ET), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or in vitro activation (IVA), and CAR and FM were collected on day 22. In exp. 1, for CAR messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of estrogen receptors (ESR) 1 and 2, nuclear (n) progesterone receptors (PGR) and membrane (m) PGRα, ß, and γ were affected (P < 0.02) by pregnancy stage, as were ESR1, nPGR, and mPGRα, ß, and γ for FM (P < 0.03). In exp. 2, for CAR, mRNA expression of ESR1 and nPGR was decreased (P < 0.001) in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA groups compared with NAT. For FM, mRNA expression of ESR1 tended to be greater (P = 0.10) in the IVA group compared with NAT and NAT-ET, and GPER1 was greater (P < 0.05) in NAT-ET and IVF compared with NAT. These data establish the normal pattern of sex steroid receptor mRNA expression in maternal and fetal placenta during early pregnancy in sheep, and in addition, suggest that altered expression of placental sex steroid receptors may be an early event leading to poor placental vascularization and growth after assisted reproductive technology.

Activation of the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may drive vascularization of the ovine placenta.

Early pregnancy, when most embryonic losses occur, is a critical period in which vital placental vascularization is established. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent inducer of angiogenesis, and factors that regulate VEGF function, expression, or both may ultimately affect vascularization. Activation of the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) by its cognate ligand, C-X-C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), increases VEGF synthesis and secretion, which in turn stimulates CXCL12 and CXCR4 production and this synergistic regulation may influence placental vascularization. We hypothesized that expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, select angiogenic factors, and their receptors would increase in placental tissues during early pregnancy and that treatment of ovine trophectoderm cells with CXCL12 would increase production of angiogenic factors. To test this hypothesis, maternal caruncle (CAR) and fetal extraembryonic membrane (FM) tissues were collected on days 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, and 30 of pregnancy and on day 10 of the estrous cycle (control, NP) to determine relative mRNA or protein expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 and selected angiogenic factors. In CAR, expression of mRNA for CXCR4 increased on day 18, 20, 22, and 25 and CXCL12 increased on day 18 and 20 compared with NP ewes. CXCL12 protein followed a similar pattern in CAR tissue, with greater levels on day 20 than in NP tissue. Greater levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) mRNA was observed in CAR on day 20 of gestation than on day 30. In FM, CXCL12, CXCR4, angiopoietin 1, VEGF, and VEGF receptor 1 were enhanced with advancing pregnancy, whereas FGF2 and kinase insert domain receptor (or VEGF receptor 2) peaked on day 25. An increase in protein levels occurred on day 25 compared with day 20 in FM for CXCL12 and CXCR4, as well as a similar tendency for FGF2 protein. Both CXCL12 and CXCR4 are specifically localized to trophoblast cells and to the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium. Treatment of ovine trophectoderm cells with CXCL12 increased mRNA expression for VEGF and FGF2. The relationship between VEGF, FGF2, and the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling underscores the potential role for this chemokine axis in driving placentation.

Endocrine actions of interferon-tau in ruminants.

The ovine conceptus releases interferon-tau (IFNT), which prevents upregulation of the endometrial estrogen receptor (ESR1) and, consequently, oxytocin receptor (OXTR), thereby disrupting pulsatile release of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) in response to oxytocin. IFNT, through paracrine action on the endometrium, protects the corpus luteum (CL) during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Pregnancy also induces IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which is interpreted to reflect a "prompted" antiviral and immune cell response peripherally in ruminants. IFNT was recently demonstrated to be released from the uterus in amounts of 200 microg (2 x 10(7) U)/24 h via the uterine vein and to induce ISGs in the CL during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Delivery of recombinant ovine (ro) IFNT into the uterine vein in a location that is upstream of the utero-ovarian plexus from Day 10 to 17 maintained serum progesterone concentrations and extended normal 16-17 d estrous cycles to beyond 32 d. It is concluded from these studies that IFNT is released into the uterine vein and initiates a peripheral antiviral response to protect pregnancy from maternal viral infection. It also may have endocrine action through inducing luteal resistance to PGF and longer-term survival of the CL and maintenance of pregnancy.

Cloning and characterization of an ovine intracellular seven transmembrane receptor for progesterone that mediates calcium mobilization.

Classically, progesterone has been thought to act only through the well-known genomic pathway involving hormone binding to nuclear receptors (nPR) and subsequent modulation of gene expression. However, there is increasing evidence for rapid, nongenomic effects of progesterone in a variety of tissues in mammals, and it seems likely that a membrane PR (mPR) is causing these events. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize an ovine mPR distinct from the nPR. A cDNA clone was isolated from ovine genomic DNA by PCR. The ovine mPR is a 350-amino acid protein that, based on computer hydrophobicity analysis, possesses seven transmembrane domains and is distinct from the nPR. Message for the ovine mPR was detected in hypothalamus, pituitary, uterus, ovary, and corpus luteum by RT-PCR. In CHO cells that overexpressed a mPR-green fluorescent protein fusion protein, the ovine mPR was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and not the plasma membrane. Specific binding of 3H-progesterone to membrane fractions was demonstrated in CHO cells that expressed the ovine mPR but not in nontransfected cells. Furthermore, progesterone and 17 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in CHO cells that expressed ovine mPR in Ca2+-free medium (P < 0.05) but not in CHO cells transfected with empty vector. This rise in intracellular Ca2+ is believed to be from the endoplasmic reticulum as intracellular Ca2+ mobilization is absent when mPR transfected cells are first treated with thapsigargin to deplete Ca2+ stores from the endoplasmic reticulum. Isolation, identification, tissue distribution, cellular localization, steroid binding, and a functional response for a unique intracellular mPR in the sheep are presented.

A population based study of herpes simplex virus 2 seroprevalence in rural Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVES: To determine seroprevalence and determinants of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) seropositivity, in a random sample of a population based cohort of 10 049 women of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, using a highly sensitive and specific serological assay. METHODS: Seroprevalence was determined by a type specific HSV-2 ELISA assay in an age stratified random sample of 1100 women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk factors of seropositivity. RESULTS: Overall age adjusted HSV-2 seroprevalence was 38.5% (95% CI, 37.5 to 39.5), and it was strongly associated with increasing age (p(Trend<0.0001)), both among monogamous women and women with multiple sexual partners. A greater number of lifetime sexual partners increased the risk of seropositivity, with a 28.2% (95% CI, 24.4 to 32.2) seroprevalence among monogamous women and 75% (95% CI, 65.6 to 83.0) seroprevalence for those with four or more partners (OR = 7.6 95% CI, 4.7 to 12.4 p(Trend<0.0001)). Barrier contraceptive use was negatively associated with HSV-2 seropositivity (OR 0.54, 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.94). Women with antibodies against HPV 16, 18, or 31 were 1.6 times more likely to be HSV-2 seropositive (OR 1.6, 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: HSV-2 infection is highly endemic in Guanacaste, even among lifetime monogamous women, suggesting a role of male behaviour in the transmission of the infection. Until vaccination against HSV-2 is available, education to prevent high risk sexual behaviour and the use of condoms appear as preventive measures against HSV-2.

Prospective study of the natural history of infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge regarding the clinical characteristics and natural history of acute infectious mononucleosis is based largely on older, often retrospective, studies without systematic follow-up. Differences in diagnosis, methodology, or treatment between historical and current practice might affect an understanding of this illness. METHODS: Using a prospective case series design, we enrolled 150 persons with an acute illness serologically confirmed as Epstein-Barr virus infection. The goal of the study was to assess symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory tests, and functional status measures during the acute presentation and 1, 2, and 6 months later. RESULTS: Acutely, infectious mononucleosis was characterized by the symptoms of sore throat and fatigue and substantial functional impairment. Objective physical and laboratory examination findings included pharyngitis and cervical lymphadenopathy, a moderate absolute and atypical lymphocytosis, and mildly elevated transaminase levels. The traditional signs of fever and splenomegaly were relatively uncommon. By 1 month, most symptoms and signs and all laboratory tests had returned to normal. Fatigue, cervical lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, and functional health status improved more slowly. CONCLUSIONS: In contemporary practice most of the classical illness features of infectious mononucleosis are observed. Symptoms, signs, and poor functioning might be protracted in some patients.

Sorting out the new HSV type specific antibody tests.

This review will delineate performance characteristics and limitations, as far as they are known, of the new glycoprotein G based, type specific HSV serologies. Several of these tests have been FDA approved in the United States for use in adults. With the departure of Gull/Meridian from the HSV serology market, it is important for clinicians to understand the sources and claims of the remaining type specific tests. Moreover, inaccurate tests using crude antigen preparations remain on the market. These tests are identified based on product insert information provided by company representatives.

Parotid salivary basic proline-rich proteins inhibit HIV-I infectivity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular nature, spectrum of activity and mechanism(s) of action of those human parotid basic proline-rich proteins that exhibit anti-HIV-I activity. DESIGN: Fractions containing the basic proline-rich proteins were obtained from human parotid saliva of presumed HIV-I non-infected human subjects and characterized with respect to their purity, apparent molecular size and their ability to inhibit the infectivity of T-tropic and M-tropic strains of HIV-I. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stimulated parotid saliva samples were collected from human subjects who denied having any risk factors for HIV-I infection and whose parotid salivas inhibited HIV-I infectivity. Such samples were subjected to affinity, molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography to isolate individual salivary components. Those fractions demonstrating anti-HIV-I activity were analyzed by SDS-PAGE in order to assess their purity and determine their apparent molecular weights. HIV-I inhibitory activity was determined using HIV-I strains LAI and BaL in a Hela cell-derived multinuclear activation of a galactosidase indicator (MAGI) assay. Amino acid analyses were performed on some fractions. RESULTS: Recombinant gp120-CH-Sepharose chromatography of one subject's parotid saliva revealed specific binding of human parotid basic proline-rich proteins, most prominently one with an apparent molecular weight of 37 kDa. Molecular sieve and cation exchange chromatography yielded a fraction greatly enriched in this protein which amino acid analysis confirmed was proline-rich. A similar fraction from two other subjects also contained basic proline-rich proteins of similar molecular size. These fractions inhibited both T-tropic and M-tropic strains of HIV-I when assayed in the MAGI system. Since SLPI activity is not observable in the MAGI assay, this inhibition was not due to SLPI. The presence of thrombospondin-I (TSP-I) in the active fractions was precluded on the basis of SDS-PAGE examination. CONCLUSIONS: Specific basic proline-rich proteins in human parotid saliva possess significant anti-HIV-I activity independent of that attributable to SLPI or TSP-I. Since the inhibition is detectable with the MAGI assay, its mechanism of action involves virus-host cell interaction prior to the introduction of the tat gene product into the host cell and may be through the binding of the basic proline-rich proteins to the HIV-I gp120 coat of the virus.

Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among middle-age women in Brazil and the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Data comparing type-specific herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and risk factors between comparable populations are largely unavailable, particularly from less-developed countries. GOAL: To examine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and the risk factors for this infection among women in São Paulo, Brazil, and Manila, the Philippines. STUDY DESIGN: Altogether, 552 middle-aged women participating as control subjects in two cervical cancer studies were screened for type-specific HSV-2 antibodies. RESULTS: Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was higher in Brazil (42%) than in the Philippines (9.2%). The mean ages of Brazilian (n = 181) and Filipino (n = 371) women were 52.4 and 46.6 years, respectively. Brazilian participants had more lifetime sexual partners, less education, and more often a husband with other sexual partners than Filipino women. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was independently associated with younger age at first intercourse in both countries. More than one lifetime sexual partner, a husband with other sexual partners, urban/semi-urban residence, and no history of condom use were HSV-2 risk factors in Brazil, but not in the Philippines, where long-term hormonal contraceptive use was associated with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: The higher HSV-2 seroprevalence in Brazil than in the Philippines may be explained largely by differences in the sexual behavior of women and their husbands. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence data may be used as a marker of past sexual behavior for the direct comparison of different population groups.

Human papillomaviruses and cervical cancer in Bangkok. I. Risk factors for invasive cervical carcinomas with human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 DNA.

Personal interviews, tests for antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2, Treponema pallidum, and hepatitis B, tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and polymerase chain reaction-based assays for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical scrapings were obtained from 190 women with squamous cell and 42 women with adenomatous cervical carcinoma and from 291 hospitalized controls diagnosed in Bangkok, Thailand, between September 1991 and September 1993. Risk was strongly associated with oncogenic HPV types, with types 16 and 18 predominating in squamous and adenomatous lesions, respectively. The 126 cases with HPV-16 and the 42 cases with HPV-18 were compared with 250 controls with no evidence of any HPV. The risk of both viral tumor types increased with decreasing age at first intercourse in this predominantly monogamous population, which may be explained by more visits to prostitutes by the husbands of cases with early than late age at first intercourse. HPV-16 tumors were weakly associated with HBsAg carrier state and smoking. The risk of tumors of both viral types increased with parity and use of oral contraceptives but not with injectable progestogens. Factors that may predispose to persistent, oncogenic HPV-16 or -18 infection may include estrogens or progestins in the presence of estrogens, immunosuppression, and smoking, but other factors related to low socioeconomic status are also involved.

Human papillomaviruses and cervical cancer in Bangkok. II. Risk factors for in situ and invasive squamous cell cervical carcinomas.

To identify risk factors for progression of intraepithelial cervical lesions, 190 women with invasive cervical cancer were compared with 75 women with in situ disease diagnosed in Bangkok, Thailand, between September 1991 and September 1993. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays for type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical scrapings revealed oncogenic types in 79% of invasive and 57% of intraepithelial tumors. Types 16 and 18, but not types 31/33/35/39, were more common in invasive than intraepithelial tumors, and untyped HPV DNA was found more commonly in the in situ lesions, suggesting that in situ disease is four times more likely to become invasive if due to type 16 or 18 than to other causes, and that tumors with only untyped HPV are not at increased risk of progression. After controlling for HPV type, the risk of developing invasive diseases, compared with the risk of developing intraepithelial lesions, was not related to any of a large number of sexual and hormonal factors considered or to smoking, suggesting that any cofactors these variables represent act before the development of in situ carcinoma. Two indices of socioeconomic status were associated with a reduced risk of only invasive disease, suggesting the existence of unknown protective factors that operate after intraepithelial lesions develop.

Human papillomaviruses and cervical cancer in Bangkok. III. The role of husbands and commercial sex workers.

Between September 1991 and September 1993, husbands of women with and without cervical neoplasia and commercial sex workers in one brothel and one massage parlor in Bangkok, Thailand, were interviewed; serologic tests for sexually transmitted infections were performed; and cervical and penile scrapings were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The risks of cervical carcinoma in monogamous women and of oncogenic HPV in their husbands were associated with the men's having unprotected intercourse with prostitutes. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV was higher in commercial sex workers than in women attending gynecologic and family planning clinics. Oncogenic HPV prevalence declined with age in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, but not in healthy HIV-positive, commercial sex workers and was weakly associated with hepatitis B antigenemia, suggesting that persistence of HPV infection is due to subtle changes in immunity. Associations of HPV with recent pregnancy and oral contraceptive use suggest that hormonal factors may increase the risk of cervical neoplasia by enhancing persistence of HPV infection. The prevalence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was strongly related to oncogenic HPV types and weakly to HIV infection only in their presence. Commercial sex workers in Bangkok are reservoirs of oncogenic HPV, and cervical cancer in monogamous Thai women develops in part as a result of transmission of these viruses to them by their husbands from prostitutes.

Use of a glycoprotein G-based type-specific assay to detect antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 among persons attending sexually transmitted disease clinics.

BACKGROUND: Most genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections are unrecognized, thus, strategies to reduce the sexual transmission of HSV-2 are partly dependent on serologic screening. GOAL: To define performance characteristics of the Gull/ Meridian glycoprotein G-based HSV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay among sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees and correlates of test acceptance. STUDY DESIGN: The cross-sectional study was conducted during two periods. Serologic testing was offered at a US $15 charge during the first period and at no charge during the second period. Sera were tested by a type-specific glycoprotein G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, with the latter test used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Acceptance of HSV-2 testing was associated with free testing (odds ratio, 7.5; 95% CI, 6.0-9.9), older age, and white race. Sensitivity of the HSV-2 assay was 80.5% and specificity was 98.5%. The HSV-2 positive and negative predictive values were 95.8% (95% CI, 91.6-98.0%) and 92.2% (95 % CI, 89.6 -94.2%), respectively. Antibodies to HSV-2 were detected in 25.9% of 606 persons with no history of genital herpes. CONCLUSION: Acceptance of HSV-2 serologic testing was cost sensitive. In this high-prevalence population, the positive predictive value of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was sufficient to warrant its use without a confirmatory test. This assay could be useful in the screening of sexually active adults to detect unrecognized HSV-2 infection.

Acute infectious mononucleosis: characteristics of patients who report failure to recover.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine how often acute mononucleosis precipitates chronic illness, and to describe the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial features that characterize patients who report failure to recover. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 150 patients with infectious mononucleosis during the acute illness and asked them to assess their recovery at 2 and 6 months. At baseline, we performed physical and laboratory examinations; obtained measures of psychological and somatic functioning, social support, and life events; and administered a structured psychiatric interview. RESULTS: Self-assessed failure to recover was reported by 38% of patients (55 of 144) at 2 months and by 12% (17 of 142) at 6 months. Those who had not recovered reported a persistent illness characterized by fatigue and poor functional status. No objective measures of disease, including physical examination findings or serologic or laboratory markers, distinguished patients who failed to recover from those who reported recovery. Baseline predictors for failure to recover at 2 months were older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 1.8, per 5-year increase), higher temperature (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2, per 0.5 degrees C increase), and greater role limitation due to physical functioning (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9, per 20-point decrease in Short Form-36 score). At 6 months, baseline predictors for failure to recover included female sex (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 12), a greater number of life events more than 6 months before the disease began (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.5, per each additional life event), and greater family support (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.2, per 7-point increase in social support score). CONCLUSIONS: We were not able to identify objective measures that characterized self-reported failure to recover from acute infectious mononucleosis. The baseline factors associated with self-reported failure to recover at 2 months differed from those associated with failure to recover at 6 months. Future studies should assess the generalizability of these findings and determine whether interventions can hasten recovery.

Premarket evaluation of the POCkit HSV-2 type-specific serologic test in culture-documented cases of genital herpes simplex virus type 2 [see comment].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The genital herpes epidemic continues, in part, because patients with subclinical or atypical presentations cannot be identified by most herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibody tests. A new product, POCkit HSV-2, has been developed to rapidly and accurately detect antibodies to HSV type 2 (HSV-2) in capillary blood or serum. GOAL: Sera from patients with culture-documented genital or oral herpes were tested to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the POCkit HSV-2 rapid point-of-care antibody test (Diagnology, Belfast, Northern Ireland). STUDY DESIGN: Sera from 50 patients with culture-documented HSV type 1 (9 oral, 41 genital) and from 253 patients with genital HSV-2 were tested by POCkit HSV-2 for HSV-2 antibodies. Each subject had a positive culture for HSV within 6 months of serum collection. Sera were preselected to include only those that were seropositive to the respective virus subtype by University of Washington Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with viral culture and Western blot analysis, sensitivity of the POCkit HSV-2 test for HSV-2 antibody was 96%; specificity was 98%. CONCLUSION: This test provides rapid, accurate identification of HSV-2 antibody in subjects with established HSV infections.