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Detection of Herpes simplex virus DNA in spontaneous abortions from HIV‐positive women using non‐isotopic in situ hybridization
Author(s) -
Wright Collen A.,
Haffajee Zenobia,
Van Iddekinge Basil,
Cooper Kum
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711760411
Subject(s) - herpes simplex virus , in situ , in situ hybridization , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virology , dna , medicine , virus , biology , chemistry , genetics , gene , gene expression , organic chemistry
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) endometritis in spontaneous abortions in HIV‐positive women using non‐isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH). Post‐abortal endometrial curettings from 18 HIV‐positive women were investigated for the presence of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 DNA with NISH. In addition, 18 unselected post‐abortal endometrial curettings in HIV‐negative women were used as controls, together with samples of normal proliferative and secretory endometrium. Thirteen of the 18 specimens (72 per cent) from the HIV‐positive study group demonstrated the presence of HSV DNA, while 2 of the 18 HIV‐negative group (11 per cent) showed a positive signal. Although the prevalence of HSV endometritis in the HIV‐positive group was significantly higher than in the HIV‐negative group ( P <0.05), a causal role for the virus in inducing the abortion remains to be determined. In addition, the significance of HSV endometritis with regard to the clinical management of HIV‐positive patients is as yet uncertain.