Detection of human herpesvirus in central nervous system by polymerase chain reaction in immunosuppressed patients

Abstract

The human herpesvirus (HHV), including herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), human herpesvirus type 3 (known as Varicella Zoster Virus - VZV), human herpesvirus type 4 (known as Epstein-Barr virus - EBV), human herpesvirus type 5 (known as human Cytomegalovirus - HCMV), human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) , members of the Herpesviridae family, often cause serious complications in immunosuppressed patients. The HHV are also important pathogens and are related to cases of infections of the central nervous system (CNS). To verify the prevalence and pathogenesis of infections caused by HHV in CNS and to investigate the presence of coinfection among these viruses, we use molecular biology methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction Nested type (N-PCR). This will include patients treated at the Department of Neurology/FCM/UNICAMP, with symptoms of viral infection in the CNS. The use of techniques for detection of viral DNA may be useful to neurologists in the care and attention of these patients. (AU)