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Updated: May 1, 2026
A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Herpes simplex virus reactivation as a trigger of mucous lesions in pemphigus vulgaris
M Kurata1, Y Mizukawa, Y Aoyama
1Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Shinkawa, 6-20-2, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan.
Background:
Although infectious agents have long been implicated in the induction or exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris (PV), a convincing role for the agent in the aetiology of PV has not been established.
Objectives:
To establish the association with PV and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Patients And Methods:
We examined saliva for the presence of HSV DNA after the onset of PV initially localized to the oral lesions in addition to conventional serological tests and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
We successfully detected high levels of HSV DNA in the saliva samples from six of 16 patients with PV at the earliest stage, who had no episodes of herpes simplex. The prevalence (37·5%) of detecting HSV DNA in the patients with PV was lower than that of eczema herpeticum (56·5%), but comparable to that in patients with herpes labialis (30·0%). Copy numbers of the HSV DNA were rather higher than those with herpes labialis and with eczema herpeticum. In general, detection of HSV DNA in saliva was transient and restricted to the earliest phase of the disease. In addition, anti-HSV immunoglobulin (Ig) G titres in patients with PV were significantly higher than those in patients with virologically confirmed HSV-induced disorders. All salivary HSV DNA-positive patients with PV had run a more complex, intractable course refractory to conventional therapy.
Conclusions:
Detection of HSV DNA in saliva is a useful and noninvasive, quantitative method for establishing the role of HSV in the pathogenesis of PV and for identifying individuals at greater risk for subsequently developing refractory PV.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA was detected in the saliva of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients, suggesting a role in disease development. This finding aids in identifying patients at risk for severe PV.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infectious agents are suspected in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) pathogenesis, but a definitive link remains elusive.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a potential, yet unproven, factor in PV etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV).
- To determine if HSV plays a role in the development or exacerbation of PV.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples from PV patients were analyzed for HSV DNA.
- Conventional serological tests and immunohistochemistry were also employed.
- Analysis focused on early-stage PV with oral lesions and no prior herpes episodes.
Main Results:
- High levels of HSV DNA were found in 37.5% of early-stage PV patients' saliva.
- HSV DNA detection was transient, occurring only in the earliest disease phase.
- Higher anti-HSV IgG titers and a more intractable disease course were observed in HSV DNA-positive PV patients.
Conclusions:
- Salivary HSV DNA detection is a valuable, noninvasive method to confirm HSV's role in PV pathogenesis.
- This method can identify PV patients at higher risk for refractory disease, guiding treatment strategies.
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