Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether there is any tissue evidence to support the hypothesis that Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Methods: In situ hybridization for the varicella zoster virus was performed on 100 temporal artery biopsy specimens. Of these, 50 were from patients with clinically and histologiocally demonstrated GCA. The other specimens were from control patients who did not have the diagnosis of GCA. In addition, 30 temporal artery biopsy specimens were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the varicella zoster virus. 20 of these specimens came from patients with a clinical and histological diagnosis of GCA. The other 10 were from control patients who did not have the diagnosis of GCA. Results: No GCA patient (0 of 50) and no control patient (0 of 50) temporal artery biopsy samples were positive for varicella zoster virus by in situ hybridization. No GCA (0 of 20) or control patient (0 of 10) temporal artery biopsy samples were positive for GCA by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: Based on examination with both in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, there is no direct tissue evidence of varicella zoster virus in Giant Cell Arteritis temporal artery biopsy specimens.
Keywords: 443 in situ hybridization • 474 microscopy: light/fluorescence/immunohistochemistry • 613 varicella zoster virus