Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Is Mostly Latent and Clonal in Angioimmunoblastic T Cell Lymphoma (AITL).

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), a peripheral T lymphoma of poor prognosis in at least 90% of cases. The role of EBV in this pathology is unknown. Using next-generation sequencing, we sequenced the entire EBV genome in biopsies from 18 patients with AITL, 16 patients with another EBV-associated lymphoma, and 2 controls.

Comprehensive Epstein-Barr Virus Transcriptome by RNA-Sequencing in Angioimmunoblastic T Cell Lymphoma (AITL) and Other Lymphomas.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) in more than 80% of cases. Few studies have focused on this association and it is not clear now what role the virus plays in this pathology. We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to study EBV transcriptome in 14 AITLs compared to 21 other lymphoma samples and 11 cell lines including 4 lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs).

HIV-2 Primary Infection in a French 69-Year-Old Bisexual Man.

More than 1 million individuals, mainly in West Africa, are thought to be infected with HIV-2. Acute HIV-2 infection is rarely observed, only 2 primary infections have been described to date. We report a detailed case of HIV-2 primary infection in a 69-year-old French bisexual Caucasian man, thereby providing valuable insights into HIV-2 early infection.

Clonal deleted latent membrane protein 1 variants of Epstein-Barr virus are predominant in European extranodal NK/T lymphomas and disappear during successful treatment.

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphomas (NK/TL), rare in Europe, are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated lymphomas with poor outcomes. Here, we determined the virus type and analyzed the EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) gene sequence in NK/TL from French patients. Six clones of viral LMP1 were sequenced by Sanger technology in blood from 13 patients before treatment with an l-asparaginase based regimen and, for 8 of them, throughout the treatment.

DRESS syndrome.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, initially recognized as a serious form of cutaneous drug adverse reaction, is now viewed as a drug-related syndrome that can cause life-threatening organ dysfunctions. Characteristic features include a long time interval from first drug exposure to symptom onset and a prolonged course, often with flares, even after discontinuation of the causal drug. The pathophysiology of DRESS syndrome remains incompletely understood but involves reactivation of herpes viruses (HHV-6, HHV-7, EBV, and CMV), against which the body mounts a strong immune response.

Saliva polymerase chain reaction assay for detection and follow-up of herpesvirus reactivation in patients with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Importance: Reactivations of human herpesviruses (HHVs) contribute to the development of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Diagnosis of HHV reactivation is conventionally based on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of blood samples, but these viruses are present in the oropharynx and are shed in saliva.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a saliva PCR assay for demonstrating HHV shedding in patients with DRESS.

Intrathecal synthesis of specific antibodies as a marker of herpes simplex encephalitis in patients with negative PCR.

Background: PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has become the sole method used for the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Nevertheless, PCR results may sometimes be false negative, and in this situation other techniques may be useful.

Methods: 3 patients hospitalised for meningoencephalitis with fever showed a negative result for herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR in their CSF.

Involvement of human herpesvirus-6 variant B in classic Hodgkin's lymphoma via DR7 oncoprotein.

Purpose: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is associated with the presence of EBV in Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in ∼40% of cases. Here, we studied the presence of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) variant B in RS cells of HL patients and correlated results with clinical parameters. We then examined the implication of HHV-6 DR7B protein in cell deregulation.

Amoxicillin-induced flare in patients with DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms): report of seven cases and demonstration of a direct effect of amoxicillin on Human Herpesvirus 6 replication in vitro.

Amoxicillin is known to induce exanthema in patients with EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis. It is widely recognized that the reactivation of herpesviruses, including HHV-6 (Human Herpesvirus 6) and EBV (Epstein Barr virus) is associated with DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms). We report 7 cases of amoxicillin-induced flare in patients with DRESS induced by other drugs and investigate whether amoxicillin may have a direct effect on HHV-6 replication in vitro.

Twelve-year analysis of severe cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: a cause of unpredictable multiorgan failure.

Background: Factors implicated in the severity of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have not been identified. We retrospectively describe and analyze severe cases of DRESS defined by history of intensive care unit admission and death due to DRESS.

Observations: Of 15 patients retrospectively recruited in France, 14 were admitted to the intensive care unit and 3 died.

The survival of herpes simplex virus in preserved murine corneas.

Background/aims: This study investigates the survival of HSV in infected mouse corneas, in the conditions of normal human eye bank preservation.

Methods: Hundred seventy-two BALB/C mice infected with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) (KOS) were randomly assigned to either: no preservation in group 1 (n = 62), 31 degrees C preservation for 3 weeks in group 2 (n = 70) or 4 degrees C preservation for 8 days in group 3 (n = 40). The presence of HSV-1 was thereafter detected by viral culture and PCR.

HHV-6 and EBV DNA quantitation in lymph nodes of 86 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Human herpesvirus (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are two ubiquitous human herpesviruses which share many common features although they belong to different sub-families. In particular, both viruses are found in lymph nodes of patients suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma. The aim of this study was to detect and to quantify independently HHV-6 and EBV by a real-time PCR in lymph nodes from 86 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[One episode of meningoencephalitis, three diagnoses].

Meningo-encephalitis is a set of threatening diseases. The treatment needs to be started quickly for pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 or Listeria monocytogenes. Apart from these classical etiologies, many other diseases may induce meningo-encephalitis.

[Herpesviruses serologic survey of corneal allograft recipients].

Aims: Herpesviruses are ubiquitous viruses, providing circulating antibodies in a wide range of patients. Donor-to-host transmission of Herpes simplex virus via corneal graft has been proven, leading to primary graft failure. However, the serological survey of the corneal recipient for Herpesviruses has not yet been investigated.

A reverse transcription-nested PCR assay for HHV-6 mRNA early transcript detection after transplantation.

Monitoring of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) reactivation is important, especially in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is a useful method to distinguish between latent and active infection. Here, a RT-nested PCR coupled with a colorimetric plate hybridization assay was established to detect HHV-6 types A and B U79/80 mRNAs.

Multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous quantitation of human cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus-6 in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells of transplant recipients.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) are two closely related viruses, which belong to the Herpesviridae family. Following primary infection, they are thought to persist for life as latent forms in mononuclear cells. HCMV and HHV-6 can cause considerable morbidity in immunocompromised individuals, such as transplant patients.

Transmission of viruses through corneal transplantation.

Transmission of viruses through transplantation has become a major concern for surgeons and tissue banks. Keratoplasty has been the first transplantation procedure in which transmission of a virus from the donor to the recipient has been proven, and recently, herpes has been suggested as a transmittable disease via corneal transplantation. In this article we review the history of viral transmission through transplantation, especially focusing on keratoplasty, and develop the recent updates on transmission of HSV through corneal grafting, its implications for surgeons and eye banks, and further insights into viral security in eye banks.

Main adult herpes virus infections of the CNS.

Herpes viruses are widely involved in human infectious diseases, and some are life threatening, such as CNS infections. These manifestations vary according to the type of virus involved and the immune status of the patient. This article will review the clinical manifestations (encephalitis, myelitis, meningitis and postinfectious encephalomyelitis), the diagnostic strategies and the presently used drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, valgancyclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir).

Specific antibody production in herpes keratitis: intraocular inflammation and corneal neovascularisation as predicting factors.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether analysis of specific antibody synthesis can aid the diagnosis of herpes keratitis.

Methods: Aqueous humor was collected from 39 patients with presumed recurrent herpes keratitis, including 23 consulting for keratitis and 16 patients scheduled for penetrating keratoplasty. Local antibody production was ascertained by analysis of paired aqueous humor/serum samples, using a modified micro-ELISA technique.

Screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B markers in a French Provincial University Hospital (Limoges) during 15 years.

During the 15 years from January 1984 to December 1998 the Limoges University Hospital screened 22,859 pregnant patients for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and identified 149 positives. The overall prevalence (0.65%) was intermediate between prevalences observed among women of French origin (0.

Hepatitis B mother--to--child transmission.

Approximately 350 million people are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, leading to an important public health problem. In highly endemic areas where 8 to 15% of people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, the risk for the neonate to be perinatally infected by the chronically infected mother, then to become chronically infected themselves, is very high. In those countries, the World Health Organization recommends hepatitis B vaccination systematically at birth, independent of hepatitis B virus maternal status.

Human tumor suppressor p53 and DNA viruses.

Human tumor suppressor protein p53 plays a major role in the cell cycle, orchestrating a number of important genes involved in cell-cycle control and apoptosis, and seems to be one of the most important molecules protecting cells from malignant transformation. Mutations in the p53 gene are observed in about 50% of primary tumors, inducing defective p53 protein no longer capable of binding DNA and of activating transcription. Certain DNA viruses are thought to act in a similar way and may also contribute to the progression of invasive cancer in infected tissue.