title: Varicella Zoster Virus in Temporal Arteries of Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis.
abstract: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated disease of unknown etiology. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antigen was found in all of 4 GCA-positive temporal arteries (TAs) but was not present in any of 13 normal TAs. All 4 GCA-positive TAs contained viral antigen in skip areas, mostly in the adventitia and media and least in the intima. Despite formalin fixation, VZV DNA was detected in 2 of 4 GCA-positive, VZV antigen-positive TAs. Skeletal muscle was attached to 3 of 4 TAs, and VZV antigen was found in 2 and VZV DNA in 1. VZV may cause GCA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilden
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagel
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral
keywords: giant cell arteritis; temporal artery; varicella zoster virus