Distribution of latent herpes simplex virus type-1 and varicella zoster virus DNA in human trigeminal Ganglia.
Trigeminal ganglia removed at autopsy from immunocompetent individuals without cutaneous signs of herpesvirus infection were fixed, cut into 5-microm sections, and screened at 100-microm intervals (20 adjacent sections) by PCR for latent herpes simplex type 1(HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA. Sections that contained >5 neurons with nuclei stained by hematoxylin/eosin revealed HSV-1 DNA in most samples and VZV DNA in approximately 50% of samples. HSV-1 and VZV DNA were distributed throughout each latently infected ganglion.
Cohrs
Randall J
RJ
Departments of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, Mail Stop B182, Denver, CO 80262, USA. randall.cohrs@uchsc.edu
Laguardia
James J
JJ
Gilden
Donald
D
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000821:virology*; D017735:Virus Latency
D004279:DNA, Viral