Involvement of apolipoprotein E in herpes simplex encephalitis

APOE polymorphism may influence risk for cold sores and, by interacting wit h latent HSV-1, risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE genotype also influ ences outcome after brain injury. We sought to determine whether APOE genot ype influences risk for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), whether apoE is involved in the response to HSE and if APOE genotype influences outcome fro m HSE. There was increased immunoreactivity of neurons, neuropil and glia f or apoE areas of brain damaged by HSE. APOE genotypes for cases of HSE (n = 57) were similar to those of controls (n = 41). APOE genotypes for survivo rs of HSE were similar to those of patients who died. We conclude that apoE is involved in the response to damage associated with HSE, as in other for ms of brain injury. However, APOE genotype does not appear to influence eit her the risk of developing HSE or subsequent mortality. NeuroReport 12:695- 698 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.