In my previous response to the posting by Ursula
Keuper-Bennett (howzit at io.org) about viruses infecting
sea turtles, I mentioned lymphocystis virus and the
retrovirus causing walleye dermal sarcoma virus as possible
models for a tumorigenic virus that could occasionally
affect the eye. Ursula wrote back saying that there was a
suspicion that a herpesvirus could be involved in the
condition she described. Therefore, I have investigated some
of the literature on herpesviruses that may be relevant.
Infection of the eye in humans by herpes simplex virus (HSV)
results from reactivation of latent virus from the
trigeminal ganglion and can lead to blindness as a
consequence of a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory
response in the presence of viral replication. HSV is not
associated with the development of tumours. A recent
reference is:
Babu JS et al (1996) Viral replication is required for
induction of ocular immunopathology by herpes simplex
virus J Virol 70:101-107
Herpesviruses that have been associated with neoplasia and
formation of tumours in humans are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and possibly
human herpesviruses 6 and 7, although as far as I know these
viruses do no infect the eye. EBV has been aetiologically
associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal
carcinoma, post-transplant B lymphoproliferative disorders
(lymphomas), T cell lymphomas and, with less certainty, with
several other neoplasms. KSHV sequences have recently been
identified in Kaposi's sarcoma, a neoplasm of the skin
associated with AIDS, but also occurring at low frequency in
people without AIDS. A recent reference to KSHV is:
Moore PS et al (1996) Primary characterization of a
herpesvirus agent associated with Kaposi's sarcoma J
Virol 70:549-558
Adrian W Philbey
Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute
Private Mail Bag 8
Camden NSW 2570
Australia
philbea at agric.nsw.gov.aunswema05 at angis.su.oz.au
