Pityriasis rosea is not associated with human herpesvirus 7.

Kempf W; Adams V; Kleinhans M; Burg G; Panizzon RG; Campadelli-Fiume G; Nestle FO

doi:10.1001/archderm.135.9.1070

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Journal article

Pityriasis rosea is not associated with human herpesvirus 7.

Kempf W Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Adams V
Kleinhans M
Burg G
Panizzon RG
Campadelli-Fiume G
Nestle FO

1999-09-18

Published in:

Archives of dermatology. - 1999

English OBJECTIVE
To examine the proposed association between pityriasis rosea and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7).

DESIGN
A retrospective cross-sectional survey.

SETTING
University medical center in Switzerland.

PATIENTS
Thirteen patients with pityriasis rosea and 14 persons with normal skin (control subjects).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Detection of HHV-7-specific DNA sequences and antigen (85-kd phosphoprotein [pp85]) by nested polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively.

RESULTS
Human herpesvirus 7 DNA sequences and expression of the HHV-7-specific immunodominant pp85 antigen were found in 1 (8%) of 13 lesional skin biopsy specimens of pityriasis rosea. The prevalence of HHV-7 DNA sequences and antigens is even slightly lower in lesional skin of patients with pityriasis rosea than in clinically and morphologically normal skin of 14 control persons, in 2 of whom (14%) HHV-7 DNA sequences and antigens could be detected.

CONCLUSION
The low detection rate of HHV-7 DNA sequences and antigens argues strongly against a causative role for HHV-7 in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea.

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