Antonio A T Chuh1, Henry H L Chan, Vijay Zawar. 1. Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong and Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. achuh@iohk.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Conflicting results on the association of pityriasis rosea and human herpesvirus 7 infection have been reported by different investigators. AIM: To review the level of evidence for such an association. METHODS: Medline was searched with unlimited data entry and 13 reports were retrieved. The data were analyzed for a causative association according to the criteria of Fredericks and Relman, which take into consideration latent infection and the reactivation of viruses characteristic of herpesviruses, and the roles of sequence-based detection methods. RESULTS: None of the criteria was substantiated by the findings of most investigators. Factors leading to the discrepancies of the results were discussed. CONCLUSION: There is currently insufficient evidence that human herpesvirus 7 infection is causally related to pityriasis rosea.
BACKGROUND: Conflicting results on the association of pityriasis rosea and human herpesvirus 7infection have been reported by different investigators. AIM: To review the level of evidence for such an association. METHODS: Medline was searched with unlimited data entry and 13 reports were retrieved. The data were analyzed for a causative association according to the criteria of Fredericks and Relman, which take into consideration latent infection and the reactivation of viruses characteristic of herpesviruses, and the roles of sequence-based detection methods. RESULTS: None of the criteria was substantiated by the findings of most investigators. Factors leading to the discrepancies of the results were discussed. CONCLUSION: There is currently insufficient evidence that human herpesvirus 7infection is causally related to pityriasis rosea.