Complement C4 deficiency and HLA homozygosity in patients with frequent intraoral herpes simplex virus type 1 infections

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Nov 1;33(9):1604-7. doi: 10.1086/323462. Epub 2001 Sep 26.

Abstract

Three consecutive patients with no apparent immunodeficiency who had frequent intraoral herpes simplex type 1 recurrences, a rare complication of herpes simplex virus infection, were found to have a total deficiency of either the A or B isotype of the complement component C4 and to be homozygous for the studied HLA antigens. A combination of HLA homozygosity, which may lead to impaired T cell recognition of viral peptides, and deficiency in the classical complement pathway, which can compromise virus neutralization, may predispose to severe and frequent herpes simplex virus infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Complement C4 / deficiency*
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-A Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-A Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-B Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-C Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-C Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • Herpes Simplex / blood
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / immunology*
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Diseases / blood
  • Mouth Diseases / immunology*

Substances

  • Complement C4
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-C Antigens
  • HLA-DR Antigens