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Is herpes simplex virus associated with peptic ulcer disease?
J M Löhr1, J A Nelson, M B Oldstone
1Department of Immunology and Neuropharmacology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037.
Journal of Virology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was detected in 18% of peptic ulcer disease patients. These findings suggest HSV-1 may be linked to or even cause some peptic ulcers.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common gastrointestinal condition.
- The etiology of PUD is multifactorial, with Helicobacter pylori and NSAIDs being primary causes.
- The potential role of viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), in PUD remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and peptic ulcer disease.
- To determine the presence and location of HSV-1 in gastric and duodenal ulcerative lesions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequencing.
- Examined gastric and duodenal tissues from patients with PUD and control subjects.
- Detected HSV-1 nucleic acid sequences and proteins within ulcerative lesions.
Main Results:
- HSV-1 was identified in 18% (4 of 22) of patients with PUD.
- HSV-1 was localized to cell clusters near ulcer margins, not in distal tissues.
- HSV-1 was found in cholecystokinin-containing neuroendocrine cells.
- Campylobacter pylori was absent in most HSV-1 positive ulcer tissues.
- No HSV-1 was detected in non-ulcer disease control tissues.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a potential association between HSV-1 and a subset of peptic ulcer disease.
- These findings raise the possibility that HSV-1 may be a causative agent in some cases of peptic ulcers.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of HSV-1 in PUD pathogenesis.