ICD: Herpes Virus Linked to Psoriasis

ICD: Herpes Virus Linked to Psoriasis

June 2nd, 2009 by Valerie Chavez

PRAGUE,
June 1 -- More than half of a group of patients with psoriasis tested
positive for human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), suggesting infection might
play a role in the etiology of the disease, according to data reported
here.

Action Points  
  • Explain to patients that a type of herpes virus has been identified in skin samples from patients with psoriasis.


  • The study involved a small number of patients from Tunisia, so the findings may not be applicable to North Americans.


  • Point out that an association does not prove that a virus causes psoriasis.


  • Note
    that this study was published as an abstract and presented orally at a
    conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be
    preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The
prevalence of HHV-8 was more than four times higher in biopsy specimens
of patients with psoriasis than in an age-matched control group without
psoriasis, Samar Samoud, M.D., of Farhat Hached Hospital in Sousse,
Tunisia, and colleagues said in a poster presentation at the
International Congress of Dermatology.

"Our data suggest for the
first time that HHV-8 may play a role in psoriasis," the investigators
concluded. "However, no conclusions can be drawn on the etiologic and
pathogenetic role of HHV-8 in this disease. Further investigation of
this association is needed."

Several viruses have been
associated with provocation or exacerbation of psoriasis. Although the
viruses have been detected in psoriatic skin, their role in the
etiology and pathogenesis of the disease has not been elucidated.

HHV-8 has been identified
in several proliferative diseases, including Kaposi sarcoma and body
cavity-based B-cell lymphoma. Dr. Samoud and colleagues sought to
determine whether it might also be associated with psoriasis, and if
so, to what extent.

Skin samples were
obtained from 40 patients with psoriasis, ages 12 to 76 and from 40
age-matched volunteers who did not have the skin condition.

Investigators used an immunofluorescence assay to identify HHV-8 antibodies in the specimens.

Dr.
Samoud reported that specimens from 22 of 40 patients with psoriasis
(55%) were positive for HHV-8 antibodies compared with five of 40
(12.5%) individuals in the control group (P<0.001).

However, when the investigators compared HHV-8 status with psoriasis disease activity, they found no correlation.

LINK: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ICD/14470

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