       Document 0021
 DOCN  M9620021
 TI    Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in anal scrapings from HIV-positive
       homosexual men.
 DT    9602
 AU    Naher H; Lenhard B; Wilms J; Nickel P; Department of Dermatology,
       Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg,; Germany.
 SO    Arch Dermatol Res. 1995;287(6):608-11. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96066118
 AB    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can infect epithelial cells as well as B
       lymphocytes. Infection of the male and female genital tracts has
       recently been demonstrated, and it has been suggested that the virus may
       be sexually transmissible. In our study we investigated whether EBV can
       be found in the anal region of sexually active homosexual men. Anal
       scrapings from HIV-positive homosexual men and a heterosexual control
       population were investigated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
       to screen for EBV DNA. EBV DNA was detected in 8 of 27 anal samples
       (29.6%) from the homosexual men and 3 of 34 samples (8.8%) from the
       heterosexual men. Our study shows that, like the genital tract, the anal
       region can harbour EBV subclinically. This finding suggests that the
       anal region may be a reservoir for EBV and that sexual transmission of
       this virus may be possible.
 DE    Anus/*VIROLOGY  Base Sequence  Biopsy  DNA, Viral/*ANALYSIS
       Epithelium/VIROLOGY  Herpesviridae Infections/*TRANSMISSION/VIROLOGY
       Herpesvirus 4, Human/*ISOLATION & PURIF  Homosexuality, Male  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/*VIROLOGY  Male  Molecular Sequence Data  Polymerase
       Chain Reaction  Tumor Virus Infections/*TRANSMISSION/VIROLOGY  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

