Morphea and CMV; is there any association

Background: Morphea is the most common variety of localized scleroderma, which forms a spectrum of sclerotic diseases that primarily affect the skin. The etiology and pathogenesis of morphea is not yet known; however, a multifactorial process is assumed to trigger an inflammatory and fibrotic cascade. Potential environmental factors involved include Lyme disease, trauma, radiation, drugs and viral infections such as CMV. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between morphea and CMV.Methods:Amplification of CMV DNA was detected by PCR on 41 paraffin-embedded tissue sections of morphea patients as well as 40 healthy skin samples. Results: Among 41 patients, there were 17 males (17%) and 34 females(83%). Minimum and maximum age of patients was 12 and 72 years, respectively with mean age of 43.5 years. Beta globin gene was negative in 39 samples from among 120 samples of morphea patients and healthy skin. CMV DNA was detected in nearly all samples of morphea patients as well as healthy skin samples. Only one sample from case group and two samples from control group were negative for CMV DNA (P=0.61).Conclusion:In this study,no significant correlation was found between amplification of CMV DNA and morphea disease

کلیدواژه ها:

Morphea Disease ، CMV ، PCR