Abstract |
The feasibility of detecting herpesvirus DNA in paraffin sections of routinely fixed and processed human necropsy brains by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was assessed. A 110 bp segment of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) could readily be amplified in sections from the brains of six patients with acute HSV1 encephalitis but not from those of six patients with other neurological diseases, including varicella-zoster encephalitis and herpes simplex virus type 2 encephalitis. Primers suitable for amplifying c-myc were included in the PCRs for assessment of DNA preservation. This was found to be adequate to allow amplification of c-myc DNA in sections from all of the brains studied. The PCR provides a simple and specific means of detecting HSV1 DNA in routinely processed necropsy material.
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Authors | J A Nicoll, N J Maitland, S Love |
Journal | Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
(J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry)
Vol. 54
Issue 2
Pg. 167-8
(Feb 1991)
ISSN: 0022-3050 [Print] England |
PMID | 1850452
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- DNA, Viral
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Brain
(pathology)
- Child, Preschool
- DNA, Viral
(analysis)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Encephalitis
(pathology)
- Female
- Herpes Simplex
(pathology)
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron
- Middle Aged
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(methods)
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
(analysis)
- Simplexvirus
(ultrastructure)
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