DISTRIBUTION OF VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS AND HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS IN DISSEMINATED FATAL INFECTIONS

Aims-To study the cutaneous and visceral distribution of herpes simple x virus (HSV) and varicella tester virus (VZV) in fatal infections. Me thods-Standard histology, immunohistochemistry (monoclonal antibodies VL8 and VL2 and polyclonal antibody IE63 directed against VZV; monoclo nal antibodies IBD4 and HH2 and polyclonal antibodies directed against HSVI and HSVII) and in situ hybridisation (anti-HSV and anti-VZV prob es) were applied to formalin fixed, paraffin wax sections. Results-On histological examination, Herpesviridae infection was evident in vario us organs including the lungs, liver and skin. In addition, immunohist ochemistry and in situ hybridisation revealed the presence of HSV and VZV antigens and nucleic acids in several cell types and tissues showi ng no cytopathological alterations suggestive of Herpesviridae infecti on. The organs with histological evidence of infection also contained VZV or HSV antigens and their genes. Conclusions-These findings sugges t that organ failure in disseminated VZV and HSV infections is primari ly caused by HSV or VZV induced cell damage and lysis. They also indic ate that immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation can provide an accurate, type-specific diagnosis on formalin fixed, paraffin wax emb edded tissue even when classic histological and cytological characteri stics are lacking.