title: Detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in spontaneous abortions from HIV-positive women using non-isotopic in situ hybridization.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) endometritis in spontaneous abortions in HIV-positive women using non-isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH). Post-abortal endometrial curettings from 18 HIV-positive women were investigated for the presence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA with NISH. In addition, 18 unselected post-abortal endometrial curettings in HIV-negative women were used as controls, together with samples of normal proliferative and secretory endometrium. Thirteen of the 18 specimens (72 per cent) from the HIV-positive study group demonstrated the presence of HSV DNA, while 2 of the 18 HIV-negative group (11 per cent) showed a positive signal. Although the prevalence of HSV endometritis in the HIV-positive group was significantly higher than in the HIV-negative group (P < 0.05), a causal role for the virus in inducing the abortion remains to be determined. In addition, the significance of HSV endometritis with regard to the clinical management of HIV-positive patients is as yet uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Pathology School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Haffajee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Iddekinge
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000821:virology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004716:Endometritis / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D011247:Pregnancy; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral