Detection of herpesvirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions of patients with pemphigus by polymerase chain reaction

Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease where both endogenous (genetic) and exogenous (environmental) factors play a part. Viral infections, in particular herpesvirus infections, have been identified as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus. In this study, using the polymerase chain reaction, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin biopsies from patients with pemphigus, and in some of these were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA sequences of herpes simplex virus 1/2 (50% in PBMC and 71% in skin biopsies), Epstein-Barr virus (15% in PBMC and 5% in skin biopsies) and human herpesvirus 6 (20% in PBMC only). However, the inability to detect herpesvirus DNA consistently in these cases suggests that viral infection may only be an occasional factor triggering the outbreak or exacerbation of the disease. The possible role of interferons and interleukins in the pathogenesis of virus-induced pemphigus is discussed.