[Fluvastatin's effect on atherogenesis in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice infected by cytomegalovirus].

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate whether murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is able to exacerbate the atherosclerotic process in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE -/-) mice, and the effect of fluvastatin on the atherogenesis. METHODS: The apoE-/- mice kept on a west diet were given low dosage of MCMV. At 14,18 and 24 weeks post infection, AS lesion were measured on aorta. The fluvastatin was administered, and AS lesion were measured accordingly above. RESULTS: We observed that in the chronic phase of the infection, AS lesion area was significantly increased. MCMV gB mRNA was not amplified by real-time PCR from the arterial wall. The IgG antibody level of MCMV in blood plasma and the content of virus DNA in salivary gland were not correlated with AS lesions. After the administration of fluvastatin, there was no significant difference of AS lesions between MCMV infected group and mock-infected group. CONCLUSION: MCMV may aggravate the AS lesion in apoE -/- mice in the chronic phase of infection, and promote more severe type of AS lesions. But it might not be the direct effects of mechanism of MCMV on the local lesion of AS. Fluvastatin could meliorate the progression of AS after MCMV infection, but this was not accomplished by decreasing MCMV duplication.

[Analysis of 62 adult patients with viral meningitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and auxiliary examination findings of adult viral meningitis. METHODS: 62 adult patients with viral meningitis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Headache occurred in all the 62 (100%) patients, fever occurred in 61 (98%) patients, meningeal irritation sign occurred in 48 (77%) patients. The abduction of left eye was limited in one patient. Seizure occurred in 2 patients. The mean duration time was 17 days, 93% patients less than 30 days. The pressure of CSF increased in 80% patients, leukocyte counts increased in 91% patients, protein level increased in 81% patients, chloride level was normal in 35% patients and slightly lower in 65% patients, glucose level was normal in 94% patients. 7 patients had positive IgM antibody of Coxackievirus B group both in serum and CSF, one patient had positive IgM antibody of EB virus in CSF. Cranial CT scan had no special findings in all patients. 23 patients performed MRI examination, meningeal enhancement occurred in 9 patients. 52% patients had abnormal EEG, mainly increased local or diffuse slow waves. CONCLUSION: Adult viral meningitis was a kind of self-limited disease, chloride level was slightly lower in more than half patients, meningeal enhancement was detected in MRI in part patients.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus in atherosclerotic carotid arteries in humans.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Atherosclerosis plays an important role in stroke. A microbiological infection has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in particular the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The objective of this study was to determine the association between HCMV infection and atherosclerosis of the internal carotid arteries in patients of Chinese Han ethnicity with ischemic stroke. METHODS: HCMV DNA and antigen were detected in atherosclerotic internal carotid arteries from 35 patients with ischemic stroke and 20 controls from a Chinese Han ethnic population. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the HCMV immediate early (IE) and late (L) antigen as well as DNA in the vascular walls. RESULTS: We observed that the proportion of cases that tested positive for HCMV IE but not L antigen and DNA was statistically greater in stroke patients compared with the control population. CONCLUSION: HCMV IE antigen and DNA were associated with the pathological process of atherosclerosis. The vessel wall might be the infection site of the dormant virus.

[Acute transverse myelitis associated with coxsackievirus B---A retrospective analysis of 7 patients].

OBJECTIVE: Acute Transverse myelitis (ATM) is a focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord, resulting in motor, sensory, and autonomic nerve dysfunction. There is often a clearly defined rostral border of sensory dysfunction. Nowadays, the pathogenesis of ATM is not clear. The present study aimed to understand possible relationship between ATM and infection with Coxsackievirus B. METHODS: IgM antibody against Coxsackievirus B was detected in cerebrospinal fluid of 33 patients with ATM. RESULTS: In 7 of the 33 cases with ATM, the IgM andtibody Coxsackievirus B (CVB) was positive. No infections with other pathogens were found at the onset of the disease. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of ATM may involve infection with Coxsackievirus B.

[Relationship between EB virus, Cytomegalo virus, herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus infection and relapse of multiple sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between the recent active infection with Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus,herpes simplex virus-1, coxsackievirus B I-IV and the relapse of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS). METHODS: Using ELISA method, IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1, coxsackievirus BI-IV in the plasma from 34 RR MS patients and 200 normal controls were detected. The rates of recent active infection with the above mentioned viruses of the patients and controls were compared.For patients group,comparison was also made between the clinical data of recent active infected patients and patients without recent active infection. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in positive rates of positive rates of IgM antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1 and coxsackievirus BI, II, III or VI between the two groups. While there was statistically significant difference in positive rates of IgM antibodies to coxsackievirus B VI and V in the RR MS patients and those in the controls (being 3/34 and 0/200 P < 0.05; 2/34 and 0/200 P < 0.05, respectively). In the patient group, when patients who had active infection with any of the viruses were compared with those who had no active infection, no significant difference between them was found in terms of age, course, frequency, body temperature on admission, differential leukocyte count (neutrophilic granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocytes), use of glucocorticoids, and EDSS point value. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high rate of recent active infection with coxsackievirus B VI and V in RR MS patients at relapsing stage. While the recent virus active infection is unrelated to the severity of the symptoms.

[Effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro. Cells between 3-6 passages were infected with cytomegalovirus for different time. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was detected by gel zymography. RESULTS: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA and its activity 6 hours after infection was almost equal to control, and was greatly enhanced 12 and 24 hours after infection. CONCLUSION: Cytomegalovirus infection up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. It might be one of the mechanisms that cytomegalovirus is involved in atherosclerosis.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of Chinese patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and provide clinical and laboratory evidence for the study of its etiology and treatment. METHODS: 82 patients with CFS diagnosed based on the CDC criteria 1994 were recruited. History was collected, and physical examination was made. SCL-90 and memory test were used, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used to those showing depression and/or anxiety. Laboratory examination, including examination of electrolytes, blood sugar, creatinine, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine trasaminase, etc, was conducted. Western blotting was used to detect the protein-24 of Borna disease virus (BDV) in the plasma of 61 patients and 73 healthy controls. High-pressure chromatography was conducted to detect n-6 fatty acids on the membrane of erythrocytes of 42 patients and 37 healthy controls. Plasma L-carnitine in 61 patients and 73 healthy controls was detected by zymological analysis. In different examinations sex and age-matched controls were used. RESULTS: Most of the patients were 21 approximately 50 years old (74/82, 90.24%). No gender difference was found. The patients usually had 4 approximately 6 symptoms besides distinctive fatigue. Descent of remembrance and/or attention was the most conspicuous accompanying symptoms (69/82, 84.15%). Abnormalities in SCL-90 scores were present in 57 patients (69.51%), e.g, somatization existed most commonly (32/82, 39.02%), and anxiety and depression were 20.73% (17/82) and 18.29% (15/82) respectively. The prevalence of anti-BDV-p24 antibody was 20.73% (17/82), significantly higher than that of the controls (0%, chi(2) = 6.673, P = 0.010). The arachidonic acid level was significantly lower in the CFS group than in the controls (P > 0.05) and there were no differences in linoleic acid and ETA (both P > 0.05). The level of L-carnitine was 6.4336 +/- 3.4225, significantly lower than that of the control group (7.6666 +/- 3.5819, t = 2.025, P = 0.045) and the L-carnitine level was increased 2 weeks after supplementary treatment, together with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Most of the CFS patients are young and middle-aged. Descent of reorganization is common in these patients. Psychological abnormalities exist in most patients. Some patients are infected with BDV, some with deficiency of nutrition and/or abnormality of energy metabolism.

[Expression of human cytomegalovirus immediate early gene in the intracranial artery walls of atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), especially the immediate early (IE) gene of the virus, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of HCMV IE gene DNA in intracranial artery walls and the association of the virus with the development of atherosclerosis. METHODS: HCMV IE gene was tested in formaldehyde-fixed intracranial arteries from 35 cases with cerebral atherosclerosis and 20 negative controls. In situ hybridization as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of DNA in sections of paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Probes and primers were derived from major immediate early (MIE) genomic regions of cytomegalovirus strain AD169. RESULTS: The DNA of HCMV was found in 40.0% and 10.0% of arterial walls with atherosclerosis and negative control group by in situ hybridization, respectively, in 60.0% and 30.0% by PCR, respectively. Significant deference was found between them (P=0.018, P=0.032). There was also significant difference between grade III-IV and grade I-II atherosclerosis by both methods (P=0.027, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that HCMV IE DNA exists in the atherosclerotic arterial walls, therefore, there might be an association between the IE gene in intracranial artery walls and the atherosclerosis. The arterial wall with the smooth muscle cells, might be the potential site of the virus persistence. HCMV may play a role in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerosis.