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Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis.
M Schmidbauer1, H Budka, P Ambros
1Neurological Institute of the University of Vienna, Austria.
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA was detected in nearly half of brains with microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis. This suggests HSV is a likely cause of this neurological condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Virology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis is a rare neurological condition.
- The etiology of this encephalitis is often unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis.
- To determine the prevalence of HSV and CMV in affected brain tissue.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 34 brain samples from patients with microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis.
- In situ hybridization (ISH) using biotinylated cDNA probes to detect viral DNA.
- Immunocytochemistry with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to detect viral antigens.
- Examination of 10 control brains without the condition.
Main Results:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA was identified in 16 out of 34 cases (47%) using ISH, primarily in neuronal nuclei within microglial nodules and adjacent brainstem parenchyma.
- HSV DNA was also detected less frequently in cerebellar and telencephalic regions.
- No cases were positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA or antigens.
- No viral DNA or antigens were detected in the 10 control brains.
Conclusions:
- The findings strongly suggest a herpes simplex virus (HSV) etiology for a significant proportion of microglial nodular brainstem encephalitis cases.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) does not appear to be a common cause of this specific encephalitis.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of HSV in this neuropathology.