Detection of Epstein-Barr virus, but not human herpesvirus 8, DNA in cervical secretions from Swedish women by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
BACKGROUND
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) are two related herpesviruses that may be sexually transmitted.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the presence of HHV-8 and EBV DNA in the female genital tract.


METHODS
Real-time polymerase chain reaction systems for quantification of DNA from HHV-8, EBV, and herpes simplex virus type 2 were developed and used for examination of cervical secretions from 112 Swedish women. HHV-8, EBV, and herpes simplex virus type 2 serology was also performed on samples from all subjects.


RESULTS
EBV DNA was found in 10 cervical secretion samples, sometimes in high amounts. No cervical secretion or leukocyte sample contained detectable HHV-8 DNA. Antibodies to HHV-8-latent and -lytic antigens were found in 2.7 % and 24% of serum samples, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports a possible sexual route of transmission for EBV but not for HHV-8. The new real-time polymerase chain reaction systems could be valuable in future studies of relations between virus load and disease.
Enbom
M
M
Department of Virology, Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Institute. malin_enbom@hotmail.com
Strand
A
A
Falk
K I
KI
Linde
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral