To elucidate the role of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and -7 (HHV-7) in pityriasis rosea (PR), we measured their DNA load in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and tissues using a calibrated quantitative real-time PCR assay. We also studied HHV-6-and HHV-7-specific antigens in skin by immunohistochemistry and anti-HHV-7 neutralizing activity using a syncytia-inhibition test. Plasma and PBMC were obtained from 31 PR patients (14 children, 17 adults), 12 patients with other dermatites, and 36 blood donors. Skin biopsies were obtained from 15 adults with PR and 12 with other dermatites. HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA were detected in 17% and in 39% of PR plasmas, respectively, but in no controls. HHV-7 viremia was associated with a higher PBMC load and, in adults, with systemic symptoms. HHV-7, but not HHV-6, levels in PBMC were higher in PR patients than in controls. HHV-6 and HHV-7 antigens were found only in PR skin (17% and 67% of patients analyzed, respectively), indicating a productive infection. Syncytia-neutralizing antibodies were found in PR patients and controls, but their titers were lower in patients with HHV-7 viremia. These data confirm the causal association between PR and active HHV-7 or, to a lesser extent, HHV-6 infection.

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Our data show that there are no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of daunorubicin in patients receiving DaunoXome in combination with indinavir and ritonavir compared with those in patients not receiving PIs. Therefore in patients affected by AIDS-related KS treated with Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) there is no pharmacokinetic justification for reducing the doses of DaunoXome.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) has been reported to be associated with a variety of spinal abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of spinal abnormalities in a collective of NF1 patients that is representative for the general NF1 population, to associate the co-appearance of spinal abnormalities with both NF1 and clinical symptoms and to investigate if different mutations of the NF1 gene affect the prevalence of these abnormalities. Retrospectively, 275 patients with NF1 and an age- and sex-matched collective of 262 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of spinal abnormalities was recorded. Mutational analysis of the NF1 gene was obtained in 235 NF1 patients. Associations between spinal abnormalities, clinical symptoms and genotype were investigated by binary logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of all spinal abnormalities was higher in NF1 patients than in the control group. Six characteristics of spinal abnormalities were significantly associated with NF1 (all p < 0.05). An influence of scalloping on scoliosis (OR 3.01; p = 0.002); of meningoceles (OR 7.63) and neuroforaminal tumors (OR 2.96) on scalloping, and of dural ectasia on neuroforaminal tumors (OR 1.93) was identified. Backpain and loss of motor function were associated with neuroforaminal tumors, spinal tumors and scalloping of vertebral bodies (all p < 0.05). Specific mutations of the NF1 gene were not relevantly associated with the development of spinal abnormalities. These findings can aid clinicians to improve clinical care of NF1 patients by creating awareness for co-appearences of specific spinal abnormalities and associated symptoms.