Susceptibility to Herpes Simplex Labialis Conferred by the Gene Encoding Apolipoprotein E

Susceptibility to herpes simplex labialis conferred by the gene encoding apolipoprotein E.

To the Editor—In a recent issue of the Journal, Hobbs et al. [1] describe their identification of a region on the long arm of human chromosome 21 that is associated with susceptibility to herpes simplex labialis (HSL). This location is of special interest to those who, like us, work on Alzheimer disease, because it includes the gene encoding the amyloid precursor protein and several other genes...

Recurrent herpes simplex labialis: selected therapeutic options.

Recurrent infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), called herpes simplex labialis (HSL), is a global problem for patients with normal immune systems. An effective management program is needed for those with frequent HSL recurrences, particularly if associated morbidity and life-threatening factors are present and the patient's immune status is altered. Over the past 20 years, a variety of ...

Association of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis

Herpes simplex encephalitis: involvement of apolipoprotein E genotype.

It was previously found that herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV1) when present in the brain, is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in carriers of the type 4 allele of the gene for apolipoprotein E (apoE epsilon4), and apoE epsilon4 is a risk factor for herpes labialis. Whether a specific allele of the gene is involved in susceptibility to another disorder caused by HSV1-herpes simplex encephal...

Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis with levamisole.

Because deficient immune responses may play a contributory role in recurrent herpes simplex labialis, an immunomodulating agent, levamisole, has been advocated for therapy. Forty-two patients with a high frequency of recurrent herpes simplex labialis were followed for a mean of 7.8 months (range 4 to 12) and treated for 3 days at the onset of each episode of herpes with one of three different d...