The role of human herpesvirus 6, human herpesvirus 7, Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in the aetiology of pityriasis rosea.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the role of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea (PR).


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA sequences was performed on the blood and tissue samples of 25 patients with PR and on the blood samples of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. HHV-6, EBV, CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, HHV-7 IgM and IgG were analysed by indirect immunofluorescence on the serum samples of the study population. In the patient group, the values were studied 2 weeks later again (second control).


RESULTS
There were no differences between the first and second controls of the patients and healthy subjects regarding HHV-6 IgM, HHV-7 IgM, CMV IgM, EBV IgM results. There were significant differences between the first [HHV-6 DNA (2 of 25), HHV-7 DNA (6 of 25)] and second control [HHV-6 DNA (1 of 25), HHV-7 DNA (11 of 25)] of the patients for the blood samples in favour of HHV-7. PR patients showed higher amounts of HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA positivity when compared with that of healthy subjects. HHV-7 seemed to be more important regarding tissue samples [HHV-6 DNA (7 of 25), HHV-7 DNA (12 of 25) first control, HHV-6 DNA (6 of 25), HHV-7 DNA (12 of 25) second control] as well as blood samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Though our results failed to support a causal relationship among EBV, CMV and PR, they indicated a possible role for HHV-6 and especially HHV-7 in a group of Turkish patients but other aetiological factors may exist.
Canpolat Kirac
B
B
Department of Dermatology, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. bilgederm@gmail.com
Adisen
E
E
Bozdayi
G
G
Yucel
A
A
Fidan
I
I
Aksakal
N
N
Gurer
M A
MA
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral