Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
NUCLEIC ACID HYBRIDIZATION STUDIES IN EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS INFECTIONS.
Diss Abstr Int [B]; 51(7):3310 1991. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/91671035 Diaz-Mitoma FJ; Univ. of Alberta, Canada
Abstract:
The EBV-specific serology and the lymphocyte transformation assay are not ideal methods with which to study the role of EBV in clinical problems such as chronic headaches, HIV infection, and lymphoproliferative disorders in the immunocompromised host. Nucleic acid hybridization techniques were developed and applied to some of these syndromes in which EBV has been hypothesized to play a role. The use of dot hybridization to detect EBV DNA extracted from oropharyngeal cells was validated by comparing it to the lymphocyte transformation assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the dot hybridization were 90% and 98%, respectively. This assay was used to investigate whether there was an association between new daily persistent headaches and EBV infection. The dot hybridization was positive in 20 (60%) of 32 headache patients and 4 (12%) of 32 control subjects (p less than 0.001). The precise role of the virus in headache syndromes needs further study. In order to study the effects of EBV infection in the progression of HIV-induced disease, a quantitative assay to measure the levels of EBV in oropharyngeal cells was developed. The predictive value of several markers of progressive HIV infection, such as T4/T8, p24 core antigenemia, CMV serology, EBV serology, and levels of EBV DNA were examined. A high level of EBV excretion was the best single predictor of progression of HIV infection (p less than 0.001). These results suggest EBV may be of significance in the natural history of HIV infection. During latency, episomal forms of the virus are replicated by cellular enzymes, and antiviral agents have no effect on EBV replication. In comparison, viral enzymes, which may be inhibited by antiviral agents, replicate the linear forms of the viral genome. The intracellular configuration of the EBV genome was examined in oropharyngeal cells. A preponderance of linear forms was found in vivo. It is predicted that high levels of EBV excretion, as detected by dot hybridization, may be inhibited by antiviral therapy. Finally, the levels of EBV excretion and the prevalence of EBV infections by type A and type B variants were studied in patients with lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) after organ transplantation. A high level of EBV excretion was a good predictor for the development of LPD; only infections caused by type A variants were found in patients with LPD.
Keywords: Antiviral Agents/PHARMACOLOGY Cells, Cultured DNA, Viral/*GENETICS Genes, Viral Headache/COMPLICATIONS Herpesvirus 4, Human/DRUG EFFECTS/*GENETICS/IMMUNOLOGY Human HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*DIAGNOSIS Lymphoproliferative Disorders/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS Nucleic Acid Hybridization Oropharynx/MICROBIOLOGY Predictive Value of Tests Tumor Virus Infections/*COMPLICATIONS THESIS 910430
M9140683
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
