Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in classic Kaposi's sarcomas.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) accounts for more than 15% of AIDS-related malignancies. The etiology of KS is unresolved but is postulated to be multifactorial, involving viruses and overexpression of cellular growth factors and/or oncogenes. Recently, herpesvirus-like sequences (KSHV) were identified with high prevalence in AIDS-KS (AKS), endemic KS, and in classic KS biopsies (CKS).

Chromosomal radiosensitivity of lymphocytes from skin cancer-prone patients.

Frequencies of spontaneous and radiation-induced chromosome aberrations were documented in lymphocytes from patients with basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) and from those with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Cells were irradiated with single or double doses of gamma-rays or UV light. For the double dose irradiation protocol, the two doses were separated from each other by 60 min.

Gene expression of markers associated with proliferation and differentiation in human keratinocytes cultured from epidermis and from buccal mucosa.

Normal keratinocytes from epidermis and from buccal mucosa underwent dissimilar stages of differentiation in the same culture medium and responded differently to changes in the composition of the medium. Manifestations of these variations were examined in terms of the expression at the mRNA level (as measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) of three regulatory genes (cdc2, c-myc, and p53) and five that encode structural proteins (keratins K5, K10 and K13, involucrin, and filaggrin), in three growth-medium formulations. The culture conditions enhanced or retarded maturation; the observed alterations in gene expression correlated with these changes.

Extrachromosomal human papillomavirus (HPV) in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) patients.

There are over 75 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain types have a strong association with cervical dysplasias. We have previously identified HPV in a chronic benign plasma cell tumor of the cervix, multiple myelomas and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS).

Antiviral agents in dermatology: current status and future prospects.

The majority of current antiviral agents have become available only during the past decade. The above mentioned antiviral drugs, especially the viral-TK-specific agents have attempted to bring antiviral therapy on par with antimicrobial therapy. The fact, that cells infected with viruses can be selected against the relatively low toxicity to the patient, highlights the present state of antiviral therapy.

Famciclovir for the treatment of acute herpes zoster: effects on acute disease and postherpetic neuralgia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Collaborative Famciclovir Herpes Zoster Study Group.

Objective: To document the effects of treatment with famciclovir on the acute signs and symptoms of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Setting: 36 centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Cutaneous manifestations of HIV-1 infection.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to a chronic disarmament of the immune system. The process is progressive, having different manifestations as the status of the immune system slowly deteriorates. Some of the most common manifestations of HIV infection are cutaneous in origin, and they can have infectious, neoplastic, or noninfectious or non-neoplastic etiologies.

Interleukin-10 messenger ribonucleic acid in human placenta: implications of a role for interleukin-10 in fetal allograft protection.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether interleukin-10 is expressed in human placental tissue, which might imply a role for it in fetal allograft protection.

Study Design: Detection of interleukin-10 messenger ribonucleic acid in human placental tissue and in human placental JAR cells by reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction was studied.

Results: Interleukin-10 messenger ribonucleic acid was detected in human placental tissue from term mothers and in human placental JAR cells.

Skin-associated lymphoid tissue in human immunodeficiency virus-1, human papillomavirus, and herpes simplex virus infections.

The skin-associated lymphoid tissue is composed of keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, skin trophic T cells, and lymphatic endothelial cells of the skin. The epidermis, which is involved in many viral infections, contains all of the components needed for an effective immune response: antigen-presenting Langerhans cells, T cells, and cytokines from leukocytes and keratinocytes. There have been some recent advances in the study of the cutaneous immunology involved in infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Effect of interferon therapy on human papillomavirus copy number in patients with Condyloma acuminatum.

Interferons exert antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory effects on target cells. The effectiveness of interferon treatment can be followed by measuring parameters involved in interferon action. The clinical effectiveness of interferons has been proved in the human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated disease condyloma acuminatum.

Development of human papillomavirus type 16 associated squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum in a patient with Darier's disease treated with systemic isotretinoin.

In contrast to squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, scrotal carcinoma has historically been associated with exposure to environmental or industrial carcinogens and has only rarely been correlated with human papillomavirus. We report on a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum in which human papillomavirus type 16 was integrated into the tumor cell genome, suggesting a causal role of human papillomavirus in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum. Other unique features of our case include the presence of Darier's disease, an uncommon genodermatosis, and treatment with oral retinoids, which have prophylactic value in the prevention of cutaneous malignancies.

Type-specific primer-mediated direct sequencing of consensus primer-generated PCR amplicons of human papilloma viruses: a new approach for the simultaneous detection of multiple viral type infections.

Consensus degenerate primers specific for the L1 and E1 regions were used to amplify anogenital HPV-DNA fragments. The mixture of the viral fragments was then directly sequenced with HPV-6, -11, -16, -18 and -33 type-specific computer-designed oligonucleotides as sequencing primers. The linking of a consensus primer-generated PCR amplification with type-specific primer-mediated direct sequencing and computer data bank analysis provided precise, more objective viral detection in the simultaneous presence of different HPV types.

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in non-Kaposi's sarcoma skin lesions of transplant patients.

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences (KSHV) have been reported to be associated with various forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). To determine if KSHV was associated with other proliferative skin lesions from non-AIDS immunocompromised patients, 33 skin lesions (basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, actinic keratoses, verruca vulgaris, atypical squamous proliferations, and seborrhoeic keratosis) from 4 organ-transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy were tested for KSHV by PCR. KSHV sequences were detected in 82% of these skin lesions.

Interferon resistance is independent from copy numbers in benign HPV-induced lesions.

Interferons (IFNs) are successfully used in treatment of different human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases, such as condyloma acuminatum. Unresponsiveness can be seen in a number of patients which is related to a differential expression of early (E7) and late (L1) viral genes, according to our preliminary studies rather than to impaired IFN-signalling. The molecular basis for this differential expression might imply differential viral replication (copy numbers) in responder vs.

Presence of interleukin-10 transcripts in human pituitary and hypothalamus.

1. Recent data have shown that interleukin-10 (IL-10) is expressed and acts in mouse pituitary tumor cells and freshly isolated mouse pituitaries. 2.

Increased buffer pH enhances sensitivity and specificity of human papillomavirus detection using consensus primer based PCR.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) buffers were optimized for the specific detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) sequences. The effect of pH, potassium chloride concentration and magnesium chloride concentration of three different consensus primers were examined. Several phylogenetically distinct HPVs (HPV1, HPV2, HPV6, HPV8, HPV16, HPV18, and HPV20) were used to determine the optimal buffer components.

Interferons alpha, beta and gamma therapy of anogenital human papillomavirus infections.

Anogenital condyloma acuminatum (genital warts) is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted viral disease in the United States. At least 14 of the more than 60 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for condyloma acuminatum. Anogenital condyloma acuminatum has a broad spectrum of manifestations in men and women, including subclinical latent infection, clinically apparent warts, abnormal genital cytology and squamous carcinoma.

Cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis. Surgical and hormonal therapy.

Background: Cutaneous or subcutaneous endometriosis is a rare entity that should be suspected in any female presenting with cyclic pain emanating from a mass in the vicinity of an abdominal surgical scar or the umbilicus.

Objective: The purpose of this report is to examine the diagnostic procedures for endometriosis and to review the therapeutic value of surgical excision alone or in combination with hormonal treatment.

Methods: Endometriosis presenting cutaneously in an infraumbilical laparoscopy scar and endometriosis occurring subcutaneously in a cesarean section scar were both diagnosed via incisional biopsy.

Occurrence of human papillomavirus and p53 gene mutations in Kaposi's sarcoma.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that a sexually transmitted agent might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The prevalence of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in KS has been the focus of several investigations that have reported conflicting data. In addition, mutations of the p53 gene, which are the most frequent genetic changes found in human tumors, are absent in HPV-positive cervical carcinomas leading to the hypothesis that the function of p53 in HPV-positive tumors is inactivated through binding to the E6 viral gene product.