Abstract | BACKGROUND: The effect of pityriasis rosea (PR) on the outcome of pregnancy has not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the possible impact of PR in pregnant women. METHODS: In all, 38 women who developed PR during pregnancy were observed. In one of them, who developed PR at 10 weeks' gestation and aborted 2 weeks later, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, maternal skin, and placental and embryonic tissues were studied by quantitative calibrated real-time polymerase chain reaction for human herpesviruses (HHV)-6 and -7. Controls included plasma from 36 healthy blood donors, plasma and paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 12 patients with other dermatitides, and from placental and embryonic tissues from one woman who presented with a 19-week intrauterine fetal death. RESULTS: Of the 38 women, 9 had a premature delivery and 5 miscarried. In particular, 62% of the women who developed PR within 15 weeks' gestation aborted. Neonatal hypotonia, weak motility, and hyporeactivity were noted in 6 cases. In the patient studied in detail, HHV-6 DNA was detected in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, skin, and placenta and embryonic tissues, whereas HHV-7 DNA was absent. HHV-6 p41 antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry in skin lesions, placenta, and embryonic tissues. No herpesvirus DNA was detected in plasma and tissues from control subjects. LIMITATIONS: This is a case series study with a small number of patients. CONCLUSION: PR may be associated with an active HHV-6 infection. In pregnancy, PR may foreshadow premature delivery with neonatal hypotonia and even fetal demise especially if it develops within 15 weeks' gestation.
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Authors | Francesco Drago, Francesco Broccolo, Elisa Zaccaria, Mauro Malnati, Clementina Cocuzza, Paolo Lusso, Alfredo Rebora |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
(J Am Acad Dermatol)
Vol. 58
Issue 5 Suppl 1
Pg. S78-83
(May 2008)
ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 18489054
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- DNA, Viral
- Female
- Fetal Death
(virology)
- Herpesvirus 6, Human
(genetics, isolation & purification)
- Humans
- Pityriasis Rosea
(virology)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
(virology)
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Roseolovirus Infections
(diagnosis)
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