Sincerely Yours, Eczema Herpeticum

Insufficient production of type I and type III interferons predispose patients with atopic dermatitis to develop widespread infection.

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) quantitates expressed transcripts, identifies novel transcripts, and detects gene-structure changes, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, alternate splicing forms, and small insertions and deletions. Now, researchers have used this technology to investigate why some people with atopic dermatitis (AD) develop eczema herpeticum (ADEH). Individuals with ADEH are at risk for disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which can be fatal.

The researchers isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from blood samples of 60 individuals aged 6 to 65 (20 with ADEH, 20 with AD but not ADEH, and 20 healthy controls without AD). The PBMCs were stimulated with HSV-1 for 21 hours before RNA isolation and sequ…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)