Herpesvirus infection in European flat oysters Ostrea edulis obtained from brood stocks of various geographic origins and grown in Galicia (NW Spain)

We evaluated differences in productive traits and disease susceptibility among Ostrea edulis stocks. We produced 4 to 5 families from each of 4 oyster populations (Irish, Greek and 2 Galician) in a hatchery. Spat corresponding to 19 different families were transferred to a raft in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, Spain) for grow-out. Samples of each family were histologically processed every month for 2 yr. One of the pathological conditions disclosed by histological examination was characterised by the occurrence of numerous abnormal cells throughout the connective tissue of various organs, showing hypertrophied nuclei with marginated chromatin and a characteristic large intranuclear acidophilic inclusion. Ultrastructural examination showed that the abnormal cells contained herpesvirus-like particles. In situ hybridisation assay using a DNA probe specific for Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) confirmed that the abnormal cells were infected by OsHV-1 or a closely related herpesvirus. All cases of this pathological condition, except one, were detected during the first year of grow-out; thus it was mostly restricted to juvenile stages. The disease was detected in oysters of each origin but it was not found in all families of each origin, thus suggesting significant parental influence in the susceptibility to this disease or significant influence of the infective status of the parents on the infection of the progeny (vertical transmission). This pathological condition was likely responsible for oyster mortality to some extent during the first year of grow-out.

Herpesviruses in asymptomatic apical periodontitis lesions: an immunohistochemical approach

INTRODUCTION

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been recently detected in samples from apical periodontitis lesions by means of molecular biology techniques and a role in the pathogenesis of this disease has been suggested. The present study was designed to survey asymptomatic primary apical periodontitis lesions for the presence of HCMV- and/or EBV-infected cells by means of immunohistochemistry.

METHODS

Apical periodontitis lesions were obtained from 35 patients [26 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -seronegative patients and nine HIV-seropositive patients] after tooth extraction and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies specific for HCMV and EBV.

RESULTS

Fifteen of the 35 apical periodontitis lesions were positive for the target herpesviruses. Overall, EBV was found in 31% of the samples and HCMV in 23%, with 14% of the lesions showing EBV and HCMV dual infection. No association was found between HCMV or EBV with any particular histopathological type of apical periodontitis (P > 0.05). HCMV was significantly more frequent in apical periodontitis lesions from HIV-positive patients (67%) than in lesions from HIV-negative patients (8%) (P = 0.001). EBV was detected in 44% of lesions from HIV-positive patients and in 27% of lesions from HIV-negative patients, but this difference was not significant (P = 0.91).

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that cells infected by HCMV and EBV can be found in apical periodontitis lesions, with a higher prevalence in HIV-positive patients. The specific role that these viruses play in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis remains to be described.

Detection of gill-associated virus (GAV) by in situ hybridization during acute and chronic infections of Penaeus monodon and P. esculentus

Chronic and acute gill-associated virus (GAV) infections were examined by in situ hybridization (ISH) using a DNA probe targeting a 779 nucleotide region of the ORF1b-gene. Chronic GAV infections were observed in healthy Penaeus monodon collected from farms and healthy P. esculentus surviving experimental infection. During chronic-phase infections in both species, GAV was detected only in partitioned foci of cells with hypertrophied nuclei (spheroids) within the lymphoid organ. Acute-phase infections were observed in moribund P. monodon and P. esculentus infected experimentally with a high dose of GAV, and in moribund P. monodon collected from farms during outbreaks of disease. During acute experimental infections in P. monodon, ISH detected GAV throughout the lymphoid organ, in gills and in connective tissues throughout the cephalothorax. In moribund P. monodon collected from natural outbreaks of disease, GAV was also detected in the gills and in connective tissues of the cephalothorax, but the distribution of virus within the lymphoid organ varied. In acutely infected P. esculentus, GAV was detected in connective tissues, but was restricted to the inner stromal matrix cells and endothelial cells of intact lymphoid organ tubules. The tissue distribution of GAV identified by ISH suggests that shrimp are able to control and maintain chronic asymptomatic infection by a process involving lymphoid organ spheroids. Acute phase infections and the development of disease appear to be dose-related and involve the systemic distribution of virus in connective tissues throughout the cephalothorax.

HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8 in gingival biopsies from chronic adult periodontitis patients. A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Recent reports have suggested that various herpesviruses may be involved in the occurrence and progression of different forms of periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of the novel herpesviruses HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8 in gingival biopsies from patients affected by chronic adult periodontitis. As control, gingival biopsies from periodontally healthy subjects were analysed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gingival biopsies were harvested from 23 volunteers: 13 patients affected by chronic adult periodontitis (CAP) and 10 periodontally healthy subjects. Each CAP patient contributed two biopsies involving the epithelium and connective tissue facing the sulcus/periodontal pockets: one biopsy from a site having a probing pocket depth (PPD) > or =5 mm and presenting with bleeding upon probing (affected site) at the time of biopsy collection, and the other biopsy from a site with PPD< or =3 mm and without bleeding on probing (nonaffected site). After DNA extraction, nested PCR was used in herpesvirus identification.

RESULTS

HHV-6 DNA sequences were detected in one non-affected site (8%) and no affected sites (0%) of CAP patients. One biopsy (10%) in healthy subjects revealed HHV-6 positivity. Tissue specimens in 10/13 CAP patients (77%) and 7/10 healthy subjects (70%) contained HHV-7 DNA. HHV-7 prevalence in affected and nonaffected sites of CAP patients was 77% and 54%, respectively. HHV-8 was detected in 7.7% of CAP patients and 0% of healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Gingival tissue may act as a reservoir for HHV-7. A high prevalence of HHV-7 was detected in both periodontally diseased and healthy individuals. The prevalence of HHV-6 and -8 was similarly low in both groups. Our data do not support an association of investigated herpesvirus species with destructive periodontal disease.

Mechanism of monocyte-macrophage-mediated transmission of HIV

Observations from our laboratory support the theory that HIV-infected monocyte-macrophages present in genital tract secretions have an important role in sexual transmission of HIV. Light and electron microscopy were used to study the behavior of HIV-infected, primary human monocytes. These cells progress on surfaces, putting forward a leading pseudopod from which they secrete HIV. When added to cultures of CD4-, cervix-derived epithelial cells, monocytes advanced between epithelial cells while secreting virus anteriorly. Epithelial cells subsequently become productively infected. Infection of epithelia could be blocked by sera from HIV-seropositive individuals. These findings support the supposition that transmission of HIV may occur via cell-mediated infection of intact epithelia. The observations also hint at the possibility that HIV-infected monocyte-macrophages in semen or cervical-vaginal secretions could cross intact epithelia by passing between epithelial cells. To test this hypothesis supravital-stained mouse macrophages were inoculated into the vaginas of mice. Four hours later numerous stained cells were observed in the connective tissue beneath the vaginal epithelium and in the iliac lymph nodes. We speculate that direct infection of epithelial cells and/or cell trafficking across epithelia may be involved in sexual transmission of HIV.

Infection and replication of human cytomegalovirus in bone marrow stromal cells: effects on the production of IL-6, MIP-1alpha, and TGF-beta1

We have investigated the mechanisms by which hematopoiesis is suppressed in patients suffering from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. Mixed populations of human bone marrow stromal and hematopoietic progenitor cells were inoculated with the Towne strain of HCMV to determine whether these populations could be infected and support HCMV replication. We found that the Towne strain of HCMV was capable of infecting and replicating in a mixed population of bone marrow stromal cells. We observed no significant alterations in bone marrow stromal cell proliferation or the production of IL-6, GM-CSF, soluble c-kit ligand and TNF-alpha following HCMV replication in either stimulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or unstimulated conditions. In samples of culture supernatants from LPS-stimulated HCMV-infected stromal cells, significant elevations in MIP-1alpha were observed. TGF-beta1 levels on the other hand exhibited two patterns following HCMV exposure; either TGF-beta1 levels decreased regardless of LPS stimulation or there was no effect. In addition, we observed that exposure to the Towne strain of HCMV resulted in significant inhibition of both granulocytic and erythrocytic colony formation in methylcellulose progenitor assays. Thus, both the direct effect of HCMV on hematopoietic progenitors as well as altered cytokine production by bone marrow stromal cells (including MIP-1alpha and TGF-beta1, but not IL-6) could contribute to hematopoietic failure during HCMV infection.

Influence of chemical allograft preservation procedures on the human immunodeficiency virus

Since chemically preserved allogenic transplants have an established place in reconstructive procedures, the possibility of transferring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with these transplants has been intensively discussed. In this study the authors obtained brain and spleen samples from six HIV-infected cadavers and preserved them with Merthiolate, Cialit, and formaldehyde. After preservation, the tissues were examined for proviral HIV-1 DNA (gag, pol, env) using the polymerase chain reaction. Proviral sequences were clearly demonstrated after the preservation procedure. The results of this study indicate that HIV remains in tissues that have been treated with Merthiolate, formaldehyde, or Cialit. Further investigations are necessary to determine if the virus is in an inactivated or activated form. It can be concluded that, because of the possible transmission of HIV by chemically preserved homografts, serologic screening of donors should be mandatory.

[Ultrastructural pathology of the lymph nodes in tick-borne encephalitis]

Lymph nodes of humans and experimental animals with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) were studied using electron microscopy. TBE virus reproduction occurred in macrophages, reticular and plasma cells. Severe organelle destruction was found in the above cells and lymphocytes. The results suggest that macrophage, reticular and plasmatic cell death is due to the virus reproduction, while lymphocyte death is due to the toxic effect. It is evident that the outcome is determined by pathological process in lymphoid organs.

Human cytomegalovirus increases constitutive production of interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor by bone marrow stromal cells

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is often associated with myelosuppression and acute inflammatory reaction in immunocompromised patients. We have previously documented that CMV exposure of bone marrow (BM) stromal cells reduces the capacity of these cells to support hematopoiesis because of a decreased production of colony-stimulating factors. This study examines the potential role of CMV on constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of cytokines involved in inflammatory reaction, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) by BM stromal cells. The release of IL-6 was already detectable 2 hours post CMV-infection (2.5-fold increase in production) and the cumulative production of IL-6 after 5 days of infection was 23 +/- 1.2 ng/mL (ninefold increase in production). CMV was also able to induce a time-dependent production of LIF that was maximal 8 hours after CMV infection (2.5-fold increase in production). Concomitantly, there was no detectable release of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) by CMV-infected stromal cells. The similar IL-6 and LIF production in the presence of polymyxin B ruled out the possibility that this increase could be caused by contamination of the viral stock by endotoxin. In addition, ultraviolet-inactivated virus behaved similarly to live virus and caused the release of IL-6 and LIF. However, heat-inactivated CMV was unable to induce IL-6 and LIF secretion by BM stromal cells. The production of IL-6 and LIF was also evaluated after stimulation by LPS. After 5 days of CMV exposure, the LPS-stimulated production of IL-6 and LIF was significantly lower than uninfected controls. This LPS-induced release of cytokine production was found to be dependent of viral replication. The experiments have shown that CMV is a potent inducer of IL-6 and LIF with differential effect on constitutive and LPS-stimulated cytokine production by stromal cells; we suggest that CMV induction of IL-6 and LIF during the first hours of infection could play a role in CMV-induced inflammatory reaction. Moreover, our results show that human CMV can disturb the balanced cytokine network involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis.

Mechanisms of dengue virus-induced bone marrow suppression

Infection with many flaviviruses is associated with transient suppression of haematopoiesis. Of the flaviviruses of man, none are more accessible to clinical and laboratory study than dengue. Consequently, the clinical syndrome of dengue-associated bone marrow suppression has been well documented. A review of experimental dengue infections of volunteers and histopathological studies of bone marrow from patients with severe dengue virus infection suggests that marrow suppression evolves rapidly through several phases: (1) onset of marrow suppression within 3-4 days of infection; (2) onset of host inflammatory responses in the marrow and of fever shortly thereafter; (3) occurrence of a neutrophil nadir on the fourth to fifth day after onset of fever; (4) almost simultaneously, immune activation sufficient to neutralize viraemia and accelerate elimination of infected cells; (5) remission of symptoms; and (6) resolution of cytopenias. Clinical observations and experimental data bear on possible mechanisms of dengue virus-mediated marrow suppression. Work from the authors' laboratory in which long-term bone marrow cultures were used to investigate interactions between dengue virus and bone marrow cells (stromal elements and haematopoietic progenitors) is also reviewed. Long-term marrow culture (LTMC) was a useful experimental system. In vitro, early blast cells as well as the more differentiated haematopoietic elements were abortively infected, killed and eliminated by phagocytosis by specialized marrow macrophages called dendritic cells. Moreover, the ARC from stroma rather than haematopoietic precursors were productively infected. When ARC were infected, stroma failed to support haematopoiesis. Cytokine production by virus-infected stromal cells was altered. A hypothesis is proposed to account for dengue virus-induced marrow suppression. Down-regulation of haematopoiesis is probably a protective mechanism of the microenvironment that limits injury to the marrow stem/progenitor cell compartment during the subsequent process of elimination of infected cells.

Ultrastructural findings in the vestibular end-organs of AIDS cases

Neurotologic manifestations are apparent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but are poorly understood. Symptoms related to the vestibular system include episodes of vertigo, imbalance, ataxia, and nausea. Although patients present more often with hearing impairment, vestibular complaints are described and electrophysiologic studies indicate vestibular dysfunction in HIV-infected patients. Whether the disease involvement includes the central, or the peripheral nervous system has not been established. Ultrastructural analysis of vestibular end-organs obtained from HIV autopsy cases revealed pathologic changes in the labyrinth wall, the epithelial lining, and the receptor maculae and cristae. Cytologic changes in hair cells included inclusion bodies, viral-like particles, and hair bundle malformations. Epithelial lining cells, supporting cells, and connective tissue cells had inclusions and viral-like particles. These findings are consistent with those of a previous cochlear study demonstrating intracellular viral-like particles with the morphologic characteristics of HIV. Further cytologic evaluation of decalcified temporal bones and immunohistochemical analysis of freshly harvested HIV-infected temporal bones may provide further insight into the pathogenesis of viral-induced hearing loss and vestibular impairment.

Absence of HIV-1 DNA in cartilage from HIV-positive patients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are mainly transferred by blood, semen or organ transplantations. Since allogenic transplants have an established place in reconstructive surgery, the possibility of transferring HIV with such transplants has been a subject of much concern. Postmortem cartilage samples were obtained from eight HIV-infected patients and examined using the polymerase chain reaction in order to detect proviral HIV-1 DNA (gag, pol, env). Blood, brain and spleen samples were also obtained and used as positive controls. Results showed that no cartilage sample contained any HIV-DNA, whereas proviral sequences were clearly demonstrated in perichondrium from six patients. These findings indicate that HIV is not present in cartilage of HIV-infected patients, making HIV transmission through cartilage grafting improbable when transplants from HIV-negative donors are used.