ABSTRACT

The etiology of pityriasis rosea (PR) remains unknown despite numerous investigations. In recent years, human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 were accused as causative agents in PR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in the pathogenesis of PR.

Twenty three PR patients and 23 healthy blood donors as a control group were included in the study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers for HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA sequences was performed on the serum samples of 23 active PR patients and controls, and also the lesional skin biopsies from 11 PR patients. Additionally, serum levels of IgM antibodies againts HHV-7 were detected by using indirect immunofluorescence test on the serum samples of all of the study population.

No statistically significant differences were detected between PR patients and controls regarding all serum results.

These findings do not support a primary etiological role for HHV-6 and HHV-7 in PR as in some previous studies.