Evaluation of specific herpes DNA viruses in idiopathic megarectum and idiopathic megacolon.
OBJECTIVE
The aetiology of idiopathic megarectum and idiopathic megacolon is unknown. A previous study in patients with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, a condition also associated with a dilated gut, identified the possible involvement of herpes viruses. This study therefore aimed to determine whether these viruses may also be implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions.


METHODS
Resected large bowel from three patients with idiopathic megarectum and three patients with idiopathic megacolon were studied. Histology for viral inclusions and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella zoster virus was performed. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks by proteinase K and phenol chloroform extraction.


RESULTS
Viral inclusions were not seen. PCR failed to identify DNA of the four herpes viruses tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with idiopathic megarectum or idiopathic megacolon may have subtle abnormalities of the enteric innervation, but these do not appear to be attributable to the neurotropic effects of the herpes viruses studied.
St. Mark's Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
J M
JM
Gattuso
H S
HS
Debinski
H O
HO
Kangro
D
D
Jeffries
M A
MA
Kamm
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral; D008531:Megacolon / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000821:virology; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*
D004279:DNA, Viral