Varicella-zoster virus DNA in the oesophageal myenteric plexus in achalasia.
In a search for past or present infection with herpes viruses, serum antibody titres to herpes simplex type 1 virus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus were measured by complement fixation test in 58 patients with achalasia. Serum was also taken from 40 age and sex matched patients without oesophageal symptoms who formed a control group. All titres were low, and those for herpes simplex type 1 virus and cytomegalovirus did not differ in the achalasia patients and the controls. However, the incidence of varicella-zoster virus antibodies was significantly greater in the achalasia than in the control group (p < 0.05). Using oesophageal tissue containing myenteric plexus removed at the time of cardiomyotomy in nine patients with achalasia, in situ DNA hybridisation showed evidence of varicella-zoster virus in three, but all were negative for the other two viruses. No positive results were obtained for herpes simplex type 1 virus, cytomegalovirus, or varicella-zoster virus in oesophageal tissue from 20 patients undergoing oesophageal resection for diseases other than achalasia. The incidence of positivity for varicella-zoster virus was significantly increased in the achalasia group compared with the controls (p < 0.02). The findings indicate that varicella-zoster virus DNA may persist in the oesophageal myenteric plexus in some patients with achalasia and raise the possibility that this virus is of aetiological importance in achalasia.
Robertson
C S
CS
Department of Surgery, University of Nottingham.
Martin
B A
BA
Atkinson
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000382:microbiology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral