Identification of a herpes simplex labialis susceptibility region on human chromosome 21.
BACKGROUND
Most of the United States population is infected with either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2, or both. Reactivations of HSV-1 infection cause herpes simplex labialis (HSL; cold sores or fever blisters), which is the most common recurring viral infection in humans.


METHODS
To investigate the possibility of a human genetic component conferring resistance or susceptibility to cold sores (i.e., a HSL susceptibility gene), we conducted a genetic linkage analysis that included serotyping and phenotyping 421 individuals from 39 families enrolled in the Utah Genetic Reference Project.


RESULTS
Linkage analysis identified a 2.5-Mb nonrecombinant region of interest on the long arm of human chromosome 21, with a multipoint logarithm of odds score of 3.9 noted near marker abmc65 (D21S409). Nonparametric linkage analysis of the data also provided strong evidence for linkage (P = .0005). This region of human chromosome 21 contains 6 candidate genes for herpes susceptibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of frequent cold sores is associated with a region on the long arm of human chromosome 21. This region contains several candidate genes that could influence the frequency of outbreaks of HSL.
Hobbs
Maurine R
MR
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Jones
Brandt B
BB
Otterud
Brith E
BE
Leppert
Mark
M
Kriesel
John D
JD
D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012016:Reference Values; D018139:Simplexvirus; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000235:genetics; D014589:Utah
C404488:USP25 protein, human; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase