PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

U Serfling

Publications and source records attributed to U Serfling.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Search for Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus DNA in hemangioproliferative disorders and cutaneous malignant lymphoma.

Recently, a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) was discovered. We evaluated by PCR 14 paraffin-embedded specimens with the histological diagnosis of endemic, classic and HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) for the presence of the KSHV DNA sequence. In addition, biopsies of adjacent, histologically unaffected skin, peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-infected KS patients, PBMCs of one classic KS patient, and specimens of patients with hemangioproliferative disorders other than KS as well as samples of cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphoma were analyzed for KSHV. In all cases of KS, independent of the KS subtype, KSHV was detected in lesional skin. No KSHV was found in biopsies of the adjacent unaffected skin or PBMCs of HIV-infected KS patients. We found KSHV in the PBMCs of a patient with classical KS. All specimens of cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas or lymphomatoid papulosis were negative for KSHV. In addition, the samples with hemangioproliferative disorders other than KS were negative for KSHV. There was one borderline case of KS or acroangiodermatitis that was positive for KSHV. Additional histological sections and clinical evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of classic KS. In summary, the data indicate that PCR for KSHV should be a useful diagnostic tool in cases of hemangioproliferative disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in a case of lupus vulgaris.

A variety of cutaneous lesions are believed to result from the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Demonstration of M. tuberculosis directly or in culture in some of these eruptions can be difficult. We studied a typical case of lupus vulgaris that had been followed for several years with frequent unrewarding biopsies and cultures to see if M. tuberculosis DNA could be demonstrated in skin biopsy specimens. We used the polymerase chain reaction and a primer/probe set specific for a region in the gene for the 65 kd antigen of M. tuberculosis to search for M. tuberculosis complex DNA. M. tuberculosis complex DNA was demonstrated in archival skin biopsy specimens from the lesion of lupus vulgaris. The polymerase chain reaction and specific primer/probe sequences can be used to demonstrate M. tuberculosis complex DNA in skin lesions. A variety of skin lesions believed to be related to tuberculosis (tuberculids) can be revisited with these techniques and studied for the presence of an infectious agent.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

An evaluation of oral ulcers in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex.

BACKGROUND: Patients with HIV infection can have recurrent and persistent oral ulcers, not attributable to known infectious agents. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate prospectively oral ulcers in patients with HIV infection to determine whether an etiologic agent could be identified. METHODS: Sixteen patients with HIV infection who had oral ulcers not attributable to known causes had culture of the base and a biopsy specimen taken from the ulcer. Cultures were obtained for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses, mycobacteria, and fungi. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with primer/probe sets for herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, each biopsy specimen was analyzed for the presence of DNA from these organisms. Specimens were also evaluated histologically. RESULTS: Histoplasmosis was detected histologically in one biopsy specimen, candidiasis in a second, and herpetic changes in a third. Viral cultures were positive for herpes simplex virus 1 in four cases and herpes simplex virus 2 in one case. PCR analysis detected DNA for herpes simplex virus 1 in one case and herpes simplex virus 2 in another; DNA from other pathogens was not identified. In the remaining eight patients, hematoxylin-and-eosin staining revealed eosinophilic ulcers in five cases and nonspecific changes in three cases. CONCLUSION: The etiologic agent of recurrent or persistent oral ulcers in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex was not identified in 50% of patients. PCR analysis was not useful. Herpes simplex virus or other pathogens were not detected in ulcers containing numerous eosinophils.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1993

Human papillomavirus DNA in the dermis of condyloma acuminatum.

Condyloma acuminatum (CA) has high recurrence rates after local treatments. Why this lesion is difficult to eradicate is unclear. One possible explanation for recurrence after superficial destructive therapy is the presence of residual human papillomavirus (HPV) in the superficial dermis beneath the treated epidermis. Thirteen samples of CA were excised from 13 patients. Thirteen samples of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were studied for purposes of control. Epidermis was separated from dermis by treatment with sodium bromide. DNA was extracted from both tissues and used sodium bromide solution and amplified for the presence of HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction. HPV DNA was detected in the epidermis of 11 samples of CA. HPV type 6 was seen in 7 specimens; HPV type 11, in 4. HPV DNA was found in the dermis of 3 specimens of CA; type 6 in 2 and type 11 in 1. Two samples were excluded because of contamination of the sodium bromide solution by HPV. HPV DNA was not detected in tissue samples from BCC. The presence of HPV DNA in the dermis of some condylomata may explain recurrence in sporadic cases.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Varicella-zoster virus DNA in granulomatous skin lesions following herpes zoster. A study by the polymerase chain reaction.

Granulomatous reactions at sites of previous cutaneous herpes zoster lesions occur, but their etiology is not known. Three tissue specimens from 5 cases identified clinically and histologically as post-zosteric granulomatous reactions were studied for the presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by the polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for VZV. VZV DNA was detected in 1 of 3 cases where the granulomatous reaction occurred immediately in the wake of resolving vesicular herpes zoster lesions. Finding viral DNA in earlier reactions probably represents residue from the active herpetic process. VZV DNA was not identified in granulomatous reactions arising between 1 month and up to 4 years after resolved herpes zoster. The negative result in these cases supports the hypothesis that there is no association between persistence of VZV DNA and granuloma formation. How long VZV DNA is detectable at sites of resolved herpes zoster lesions could be the subject of further studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of Tzanck smear, viral culture, and DNA diagnostic methods in detection of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare Tzanck smears, viral cultures, and DNA diagnostic methods using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in clinically suspected cases. DESIGN: A 12-month trial comparing PCR with viral cultures and Tzanck smears in patients with clinically suspected HSV or VZV infection. SETTING: Both ambulatory and hospitalized patients were recruited from a tertiary referral center and the Miami (Fla) Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PATIENTS: Convenience samples of patients clinically suspected to have HSV (n = 48) or VZV (n = 35). To be included in the final analysis patients needed to have a positive Tzanck smear, viral culture, or PCR result. Patients who were clinically suspected to have HSV but had VZV by viral culture or PCR were analyzed in the VZV group. Similarly, patients who were clinically suspected to have VZV, but had HSV by viral culture or PCR were analyzed in the HSV group. Seventy-seven patients were available for final analysis: HSV (n = 30), VZV (n = 32), and 15 control cases who did not have evidence of viral infection. RESULTS: For HSV, PCR detected HSV DNA sequences in 73% of stained smears and 83% of unstained smears. For VZV infection, VZV DNA sequences were detected in 88% of stained smears and 97% of unstained smears. Viral DNA sequences were not detected in the 15 control cases. Viral cultures were positive in 83% and 44% of HSV and VZV cases, respectively. The Tzanck smear was positive in 60% and 75% of HSV and VZV cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is a reliable method for detecting HSV and VZV DNA sequences from single stained and unstained Tzanck smears. It is clearly superior to viral culture in identifying VZV infection and is equivalent to conventional culture techniques in identifying cases of HSV.

Chickenpox↗
PubMed1992

Human papillomavirus and herpes virus DNA are not detected in benign and malignant prostatic tissue using the polymerase chain reaction.

Fresh prostatic tissue removed at the time of surgery was assayed for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18 and 33 and herpes and varicella-zoster viruses (HV) using DNA amplification followed by specific hybridization. Thirty samples representing both benign and malignant prostatic disease were assayed. Although appropriate amplimers were present for beta globulin gene indicating successful extraction of DNA, no HPV or HV amplimers could be obtained with appropriate primers. We conclude that HPV and HV are not routinely found in human prostate.

DNA Probes, HPV↗
PubMed1992

PCNA expression in cutaneous keratinous neoplasms and verruca vulgaris.

Using an antibody to PCNA and a standard immunohistochemical system, the authors examined normal epidermis and cutaneous neoplasias for expression of PCNA, a protein associated with DNA polymerase delta and DNA replication. In squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCI), a unique expression of PCNA, which frequently involved the nuclei of all keratinocytes within the lesion, was found. Heaviest staining was in the uppermost layers of the epidermis. PCNA expression ended abruptly at the histologic margin of the lesion. Because SCCI can be associated with the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, the authors evaluated PCNA expression in verruca vulgaris and found a pattern similar to that in SCCI. Assuming that PCNA expression in these two lesions is related to cell division, the authors hypothesize that the mechanisms that control proliferation in SCCI may be similar to those operative in verruca vulgaris.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗