Type-specific herpes-simplex-virus antibodies in patients with recurrent duodenal ulcer.
The prevalences of herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) type-1-specific antibodies in 52 patients with recurrent duodenal ulcer, 60 controls, and 32 patients with recurrent cold sores were 94%, 80%, and 100% respectively. Seropositive ulcer patients had significantly higher antibody levels than seropositive controls. The cold-sore group had higher antibody levels than the controls, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Since all three groups had similar HSV type-2-specific antibody levels, the results demonstrate an unusual activity of HSV type 1 in duodenal-ulcer patients, compatible with the hypothesis that herpesvirus is an aetiological agent in some cases of this disorder.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral