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Thursday, September 18, 2003The researchers checked lung tissue from 16 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and 14 with a so-called secondary form caused by other heart and lung conditions. In an antibody test, evidence of herpesvirus 8 turned up in 10 of the primary group -- or 62 percent -- but none of the secondary group. A separate DNA test confirmed the presence of the virus in the first group The type of herpes virus, Human Herpes Virus - 8 is not commonly found in the general population, so there’s a good chance that its presence in such a large number of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension means that it plays a significant role in its etiology. It’s believed to influence the growth of new blood vessels, which would also conveniently explain its role in pulmonary hypertension. But the question is, how do you get it? Is it transmitted from mother to child in utero? Possibly. Herpes viruses generally are. That would explain why some primary pulmonary hypertension cases appear to be hereditary. Can you get it from exchange of other bodily fluids, like kissing? Possibly. Ah, well, the hazards of love. posted by Sydney on 9/18/2003 10:39:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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