title: Human herpes virus DNA is rarely detected in non-UV light-associated primary malignant melanomas of mucous membranes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  UV-radiation is the most important causative factor for malignant melanomas of the skin. However, this is not the case for melanomas on sun-sheltered body surfaces. The aim of this study was to investigate if human herpes virus DNA could be found in malignant melanomas in sun-sheltered body areas and if these viruses play a role in the development of extracutaneous melanomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one extracutaneous melanomas were dissected and used for further analysis. Quantitative PCR methods were used for detection of the eight human herpes viruses in melanoma samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human herpes virus DNA was absent in 37/41 melanomas, however, cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in two samples, and one sample each exhibited presence of Epstein-Barr virus and Human Herpes virus-6 DNA respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human herpes virus DNA is rarely detected in primary malignant melanomas in non-sun exposed body surfaces and is not a major factor for the development of extracutaneous melanomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Solna.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lundberg
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brytting
authors.forename: Liselotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dahlgren
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanter-Lewensohn
authors.forename: Lottie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schloss
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dalianis
authors.forename: Boel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ragnarsson-Olding
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000821:virology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral