Comparative immunohistochemical study of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections

Abstract

Herpes simplex (HSV) and varicella-zoster (VZV) skin infections share so many histological similarities that distinguishing between them may prove to be impossible. We developed and characterized a new monoclonal antibody, VL8, IgG kappa isotype, directed to the VZV envelope glycoprotein gpI. Immunohistochemistry with VL8 appeared highly sensitive and specific on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies and a clear-cut distinction between HSV and VZV infections was possible. The pattern of VL8 immunolabelling in VZV infections was strikingly different from that found in HSV infections studied with polyclonal antibodies to HSV I and II. Double immunolabelling revealed the VL8 positivity of sebaceous cells, endothelial cells, Mac 387- and CD68-positive monocyte-macrophages, and factor XIIIa-positive perivascular, perineural and interstitial dendrocytes. Intracytoplasmic VL8 labelling of endothelial cells and perivascular dendrocytes was found at the site of leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Low-Productive Alpha-Herpesviridae Infection in Chronic Lichenoid Dermatoses

“…Positive controls were histological sections of HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV lesions used in our previous studies [14, 16, 17]. Probe and primary antibody omissions were used as negative controls in the IHC and ISH assays (fig.…”

“…Although the majority of these manifestations occur in the immunocompromised population, they are occasionally encountered in subjects with an apparently normal immune defence system. Frequently, the clinical picture is so atypical that the diagnosis is only reached by using adjunct diagnostic methods including immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH) and PCR [13, 14]. …”

Impact of Varicella-Zoster Virus on Dendritic Cell Subsets in Human Skin during Natural Infection

“…VZV reactivation results in the production of new infectious virus and a characteristic vesiculopustular rash, which differs from that of varicella insofar as the distribution of the lesions is typically unilateral and covers only 1 to 2 dermatomes (8). In both primary and reactivated VZV infection of human skin, VZV antigens are detectable in the epidermis and dermis (2,30,46,47,49,52), and although some studies have examined the immune infiltrate present in these lesions, most have focused on T lymphocytes, macrophages, and NK cells (40,48,50,51,58). The role of DC subsets in VZV infection in human skin has not been previously explored in vivo.…”

Varicella-Zoster Virus Proteins in Skin Lesions: Implications for a Novel Role of ORF29p in Chickenpox

“…VZV DNA is present in the oropharynx (27) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chickenpox (3,16,20). Virus DNA, the glycoproteins gE and gB, and the immediate-early protein 63 (IE63p) are found in skin biopsy samples obtained from patients with chickenpox or zoster (1,(23)(24)(25). VZV is found in keratinocytes, antigen-presenting cells, and endothelial cells during acute zoster (23,25) and in keratinocytes and inflammatory cells during chickenpox (1).…”

“…Virus DNA, the glycoproteins gE and gB, and the immediate-early protein 63 (IE63p) are found in skin biopsy samples obtained from patients with chickenpox or zoster (1,(23)(24)(25). VZV is found in keratinocytes, antigen-presenting cells, and endothelial cells during acute zoster (23,25) and in keratinocytes and inflammatory cells during chickenpox (1). VZV is present in neurons and satellite cells of DRG years following primary infection (6-8, 12, 17, 22) and has been observed by electron microscopy in sensory nerves during zoster (10).…”