Herpes Viral DNA Studies in Patients Operated for Focal Epilepsy.
Abstract number :
2.040
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
1679
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
O. Eeg-Olofsson, MD, PhD, Pediatrics, University Children[ssquote]s Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden; T. Bergström, MD, PhD, Virology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden; F. Andermann, MD, PhD, Neurology, Montreal University Hospital and Institute
RATIONALE: Already in the 1970th Rasmussen pointed out the importance to search for some slow, latent and temperate virus in the epileptic lesions. Specific virus studies were later made possible through the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In connection with a more comprehensive study on the etiology of focal epilepsy, also viral aspects were considered.
METHODS: Brain tissue samples from 19 Canadian patients aged 10-39 years and 25 Swedish patients aged 6-42 years and all operated for focal, mainly temporal lobe, epilepsy were analyzed with PCR for detection of DNA from the herpes virus group. In addition a control group was studied.
RESULTS: HSV-1 was found in 45% in the Canadian group and in 4% in the Swedish group, CMV in 50% vs. 8%, HHV-6 in 25% vs. 8%, and EBV in 0% vs. 12%. HSV-2 and VZV were not detected in any patient. When white and gray matter were compared the virus occurrence was not always the same. Compared with findings in controls there was an increased occurrence of CMV, EBV and HHV-6 in the patient group. The diverging results between the patient groups will be dsicussed.
CONCLUSIONS: A viral etiology to focal epilepsy is suggested. However, the results are not consistent between two patient groups, which apparently depends on different background to the focal epilepsy. In one group (Canadian) there was a preponderance for preceeding infections, while in the other group (Swedish) there was a preponderance for malformations of cortical development including some tumours.