Herpes simplex virus 1 and cytomegalovirus are associated with pemphigus vulgaris but not with pemphigus foliaceus disease

Author(s)

da Silva Rodrigues Machado, Aline Rafaela ^[1] ; La Serra, Leonardo ^[1] ; Turatti, Aline ^[2] ; Machado, Alex Martins ^[3] ; Roselino, Ana Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Clin Med, Div Dermatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Univ Hosp, Lab Dermatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Tres Lagoas Med Sch, Tres Lagoas - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY; v. 26, n. 10, p. 966-968, OCT 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are blistering autoimmune diseases that depend on interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Viral infections, like herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV1/2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus and dengue virus, could trigger or exacerbate pemphigus. IgM and IgG antibodies against these viruses in serum from PV and PF, their relatives and controls were determined. HSV1/2 expression was evaluated by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and qPCR in affected or not oral mucosa from PV patients compared with uninjured PF mucosa. IgG anti-HSV1 was higher in the PV group compared with all groups. IgG anti-CMV resulted higher in PV group compared with PF patients and PV relatives. HSV1 was confirmed by DIF and qPCR on oral samples from patients with PV. Lack of HSV1 expression in the oral mucosa of patients with PF corroborate that immunosuppressive therapy cannot be the main cause for HSV1 replication in PV disease. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/51729-2 - Relation between immunogenetics and environmental factors in a Brazilian epidemiological study of Pemphigus vulgaris and Pemphigus foliaceus
• Grantee: Ana Maria Ferreira Roselino
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants