Replicative multivirus infection with cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 1, and parvovirus B19, and latent Epstein-Barr virus infection in the synovial tissue of a psoriatic arthritis patient.
BACKGROUND
Psoriatic arthropathy occurs as complicating feature in about 5-7% of psoriasis patients. Infectious mechanisms including viral antigens have been suggested by serologic data as CD8 T cellular specifity towards viral epitopes.


OBJECTIVE
We here reported a case of a 32-year-old male psoriatic arthritis patient, where we could demonstrate simultaneous infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus type I (HSV1) and parvovirus B19 (B19), as well as latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection within the synovial tissue by immunohistochemistry (CMV, parvovirus B19, HSV1, EBV-LMP) and DNA-in situ-hybridization (CMV). Serologic examination revealed positive EBV and parvovirus B19-IgG-antibodies, but no antibody response to HSV1 and CMV.


CONCLUSIONS
This case is of special interest, since replicative viral infections have not yet been demonstrated localised in the psoriatic arthritis synovia. Thus, with particular regard to the limited information of the serologic data and the possible need of immuno suppressive therapy direct synovial testing for viral antigenes may be considered in psoriatic arthritis patients.
Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, University Hospital, Bldg. 60, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. yasmin.mehraein@uniklinik-saarland.de
Yasmin
Y
Mehraein
Carsten
C
Lennerz
Sandra
S
Ehlhardt
Klaus D
KD
Zang
Henning
H
Madry
D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology