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Increased prevalence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in systemic sclerosis skin
1Department of Dermatology, Dokkyo Koshigaya Hospital, 2-1-50, Saitoma, 343-8555, Japan. tohtsuka@dokkyomed.ac.jp
Background:
Human parvovirus B19 is a small, single-stranded DNA virus encoding two structural capsid proteins and a nonstructural protein. It is the aetiological agent of erythema infectiosum and transient aplastic crisis in patients with haemolytic anaemia, and has been associated with fetal death, arthritis and chronic anaemia. In recent years, the possible involvement of parvovirus B19 in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been reported.
Objectives:
To determine whether human parvovirus B19 DNA can be detected in SSc skin tissue specimens.
Methods:
Normal subjects (n = 97) and patients with SSc (n = 48), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 16), dermatomyositis (n = 8), morphoea (n = 6) and graft-versus-host disease (n = 8) were studied. Crude DNA was extracted from skin tissue specimens. We attempted to determine whether human parvovirus B19 could be detected in the skin of SSc using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR amplification was performed with specifically designed first and second primer pairs for parvovirus B19 DNA.
Results:
After the first PCR, the occurrence rate of parvovirus B19 DNA in SSc skin tissues (36 of 48, 75%) was significantly elevated in comparison with that in normal controls (50 of 97, 52%) (P < 0.01). After the second PCR, the occurrence rate of parvovirus B19 DNA in SSc skin tissues (36 of 48, 75%) was significantly elevated compared with that in normal controls (53 of 97, 55%) (P < 0.02). The occurrence rates in the other diseases showed no significant difference from that in normal controls.
Conclusions:
The increased prevalence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in SSc skin showed the possibility that the virus may be involved in the formation of skin tissue abnormalities in the disease.
Insights
Human parvovirus B19 DNA was found more frequently in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) than in healthy individuals. This suggests a potential role for parvovirus B19 in SSc skin abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human parvovirus B19 is a DNA virus linked to various conditions, including erythema infectiosum and aplastic crisis.
- Previous research suggests a potential association between parvovirus B19 and systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in skin tissue samples from patients with SSc.
- To compare parvovirus B19 detection rates in SSc patients versus control groups and other dermatological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect parvovirus B19 DNA.
- Skin tissue DNA was extracted from 48 SSc patients, 97 normal subjects, and patients with other connective tissue diseases.
- Specific primer pairs were designed for parvovirus B19 DNA amplification.
Main Results:
- Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in 75% of SSc skin tissues, significantly higher than in normal controls (52-55%).
- Detection rates in systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, morphoea, and graft-versus-host disease did not differ significantly from controls.
- The elevated prevalence in SSc suggests a specific association.
Conclusions:
- The increased prevalence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in SSc skin supports its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of skin abnormalities in SSc.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of parvovirus B19 in SSc.
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