Isolation of a novel gene showing reduced expression in metastatic colorectal carcinoma cell lines and carcinomas

To investigate genes involved in metastatic stages of cancer, we analyzed expression of mRNAs in three cell lines derived from murine colon adenocarcinoma 26 by means of a differential display method. Each of these lines exhibits distinct metastatic characteristics. Among many bands representing different expression patterns in the display, we confirmed by northern analysis that a gene corresponding to one amplified fragment, termed grm2 (gene related to metastasis 2), was expressed more abundantly in NL4, the derivative with the lowest metastatic potential, than in cell lines NL17, an experimentally metastatic derivative, and in NL22, a spontaneously metastatic derivative. Using the grm2 fragment as a probe, we isolated murine cDNA clones and subsequently human cDNA clones corresponding to the GRM2 gene. The human and mouse homologues both encode proteins of 600 amino-acid residues, which show weak homologies to proteins belonging to the myosin family. When we examined the expression levels of this novel gene in human colon cancers and in corresponding metastatic foci, we found that in more than half of these tissues, expression was significantly reduced in association with malignant potential. Our results imply that in humans the GRM2 gene product may regulate the metastatic phenotype of some colorectal cancers.

Detection of varicella-zoster virus DNA in patients with acute peripheral facial palsy by the polymerase chain reaction, and its use for early diagnosis of zoster sine herpete

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation without cutaneous vesicles (zoster sine herpete) has been demonstrated in 8 to 25% of patients with acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP) by serological methods. To make an early diagnosis of zoster sine herpete, VZV DNA in oropharyngeal swabs from patients with APFP was examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). VZV DNA was detected in oropharyngeal swabs from 6 of 36 (17%) patients with APFP by PCR. VZV DNA was detected in the oropharyngeal swabs from the six patients at their initial visit (2 to 4 days after the onset of APFP), while the anti-VZV IgM and IgG antibody titers were not increased significantly. In contrast, VZV DNA was undetectable in the oropharyngeal swabs at the time when the VZV specific antibody response appeared. These results indicate that detection of VZV DNA in oropharyngeal swabs by PCR is more useful than currently available serological assays for the early diagnosis of zoster sine herpete in patients with APFP.

Distribution of ankyrin isoforms and their proteolysis after ischemia and reperfusion in rat brain

The distribution of brain-type ankyrin (ankyrinB, 212 kDa) and erythrocyte-type ankyrin (ankyrinR, 239 kDa) was investigated in the subcellular fractions of rat forebrain (P1, 1,000 g pellet; P2, 15,000 g pellet; P3, 100,000 g pellet; S, 100,000 g supernatant) by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. The P2 fraction contained approximately 40% of the 212- and 163-kDa isoforms of ankyrinB and the 239-kDa isoform of ankyrinR. Further subfractionation of the P2 by Percoll gradient centrifugation followed by separation of myelin showed association of the three ankyrin isoforms with the synaptosome-rich fraction but not with the myelin-rich fraction. The plasma membrane-rich P3 fraction contained a concentration of ankyrin isoforms similar to that in the P2 fraction. In vitro proteolysis of ankyrin in the P2 fraction with calpain showed that the 212-kDa ankyrinB was more susceptible to calpain than was ankyrinR. In the two-vessel occlusion model, ischemia for 30 min generated the 160-kDa fragment of ankyrinR, and reperfusion for 60 min after 30 min of ischemia remarkably increased the 160-kDa fragment. The reperfusion also significantly decreased the 212-kDa isoform of ankyrinB. Both ischemia-reperfusion and in vitro proteolysis with calpain generated the 160-kDa fragment of ankyrinR, suggesting the involvement of calpain.

Synthesis of glycosyl-trehaloses by cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase through the transglycosylation reaction

Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase from Bacillus stearothermophilus produced a series of glycosyl-trehaloses through the transglycosylation reaction with cyclomaltohexaose as the glycosyl donor and trehalose as its acceptor. After beta-amylase treatment, five species of glycosyl-trehaloses were isolated by column chromatography. After chemical and enzymatic analyses, it was concluded that these oligosaccharides were alpha-maltosyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, alpha-maltotriosyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, alpha-maltosyl alpha-maltoside, alpha-maltotriosyl alpha-maltoside, and alpha-maltotriosyl alpha-maltotrioside. These were not hydrolyzed by salivary amylase, artificial gastric juice, or pancreatic amylase, however they were hydrolyzed by enzymes of the small intestine.

[Plasma cell interstitial pneumonia as a manifestation of multicentric Castleman's disease]

A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of abnormal shadows on a chest radiograph, slight fever, and superficial lymphadenopathy. Laboratory examination showed anemia (Hb 9.9 g/dl) and hyperimmunoglobulinemia (IgG 5469 mg/dl) without M protein. A chest CT scan showed bilateral diffuse shadows and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. Biopsy specimens of an inguinal lymph node and a lung showed many lymphoid follicles with germinal centers, and marked infiltration of mature plasma cells in the interfollicular area without destruction of follicular structures. The polyclonality of the plasma cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient was not treated because these results excluded malignant disease and he was asymptomatic. At the age of 17 years, he was admitted to our hospital again because of dyspnea and a tendency to bleed. Interstitial pneumonia, hyperimmunoglobulinemia (IgG 13900 mg/dl), and anemia (Hb 6.6 g/dl) were found, along with thrombocytopenia (2.5 x 10(4)/mm3) and proteinuria. The serum interleukin-6 level was high: 177 pg/ml. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contained many plasma cells. Therapy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant medication was effective. Our diagnosis was plasma cell interstitial pneumonia as a manifestation of multicentric Castleman's disease.

Reduction of radiation-induced xerostomia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma using CT simulation with laser patient marking and three-field irradiation technique

PURPOSE

Tumor control and reduction of postirradiation xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using the three-field irradiation technique based on the CT-based simulation with laser patient marking was investigated.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seventy-eight patients with NPC were consecutively treated between 1983 and 1993. In 33 patients treated before 1987, target volume was determined using a conventional x-ray simulator with a reference of CT images, and the primary site was treated by the conventional parallel-opposed two-field technique (Group I). In 45 patients treated from 1987, target volume was determined using a CT simulator slice by slice, the treatment field was projected onto the patient's skin by a laser beam projector mounted on a C-arm, and the primary site was irradiated by a three-fields (anterior and bilateral) technique (Group II). In Group II, the shape of each field was determined using a beam's eye view to reduce the dose to the bilateral parotid glands. The three-field technique reduced the dose to the superficial lobe of parotid gland to about two-thirds of the dose given by the two-field technique. Radiation-induced xerostomia was evaluated by clinical symptoms and radioisotope sialography.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 46.6 and 31.2% in Group I, and 46.8 and 46.5% in Group II. A large variation in the volume of parotid glands were demonstrated, ranging from 9 cm3 to 61 cm3 among patients treated with CT simulation. Forty percent of the patients in Group II showed no or mild xerostomia, whereas all of the patients in Group I showed moderate to severe xerostomia (p < 0.01). The radioisotope sialography study showed that the mean secretion ratio by acid stimulation was improved from 3.8% in the Group I to 15.2% in the Group II (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

CT simulation was useful to determine the size and shape of each field to reduce the dose to the parotid gland, of which size varies largely among individual patients. The three-field technique based on CT simulation with laser patient markings is suggested to result in superior complication-free survival in terms of salivary dysfunction than did the conventional two-field technique with x-ray simulatior for NPC.

NMDA induces a biphasic change in intracellular pH in rat hippocampal slices

As alterations in intracellular pH (pH(i)) tend to exert a profound effect on the properties of cells, this study was undertaken to examine NMDA-induced changes in pH(i) in rat hippocampal slices using the BCECF fluorescent technique. The 'resting' pH(i) in the CA1 pyramidal cell layers was 6.93 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- S.D., n = 72 slices) in 25 mM HCO3-/5% CO2-buffered solution at 37 degrees C. Exposure of hippocampal slices to NMDA in the range of 10-1000 microM produced a biphasic change in pH(i): an initial transient alkaline shift was followed by a long-lasting acid shift. Dizocilpine (10 microM) but not CNQX (40 microM) blocked the NMDA-induced changes in pH(i). In 0 Ca medium (0 mM Ca2+ supplemented 1 mM EGTA, referred to as 0 Ca), pH(i) acid shift caused by NMDA (20 microM) declined by about 11%, whereas the initial alkaline shift almost completely disappeared. In an independent experiment, the NMDA-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was reduced by more than 80% in 0 Ca medium. Glucose substitution using equimolar pyruvate (as an energy-yielding substrate) suppressed this NMDA-induced pH(i) acid shift by two-thirds, while the NMDA-induced pH(i) alkaline shift was enhanced. Fluoride (10 mM), a glycolytic inhibitor, abolished NMDA-induced pH(i) acid shift. Furthermore, the lactate content of hippocampal slices was markedly increased following exposure to NMDA. In conclusion, activation of NMDA receptors in rat hippocampal slices evokes a biphasic change in pH(i). The initial alkaline shift is suggested to be associated with calcium influx, and the following acid shift may be caused by an increase in lactate production through the acceleration of glycolysis, as well as the increased [Ca2+]i. The pH(i) acid shift produced by the increased lactate may contribute to proton modulation of the NMDA receptor and NMDA-induced cell injury or death.

Eosinophil adhesion regulates RANTES production in nasal epithelial cells

Among the many known chemotactic factors for eosinophils, the proinflammatory chemokine RANTES is particularly important, because it is potently and selectively chemotactic for eosinophils. Throughout the process of the migration of eosinophils from the blood vessels into the nasal cavity, eosinophil functions are assumed to be regulated by surface adhesion molecules. Conversely, the messages conferred by the eosinophils to the endothelial and epithelial cells are also of great interest. In the present study, we showed that eosinophil adhesion to human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) inhibits RANTES production in HNECs. Eosinophils were isolated from peripheral blood obtained from patients with allergic rhinitis. Human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells and HNECs were isolated from human nasal mucosa specimens. After stimulation of the HNECs in the presence of eosinophils, the secretion of RANTES, induced by a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, appeared to have decreased. The amount of the decrease was a function of the number of involved eosinophils. On the other hand, the presence of eosinophils did not affect RANTES production by the endothelial cells. After pretreatment of the eosinophils with anti-CD18 mAb or coculture with HNECs in Transwell culture inserts, these cells did not inhibit the TNF-alpha- and IFN-gamma-induced RANTES production. These results were virtually identical with those observed on RANTES mRNA expression. The adhesion of eosinophils to HNECs plays a key role in the inhibition of RANTES production. Our data indicate that a certain established system causes the signal transfer from eosinophils to HNECs to inhibit RANTES production, thus decreasing the eosinophil infiltration.

Infection with hepatitis G virus and its strain variant, the GB agent (GBV-C), among blood donors in Japan

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to survey the epidemiology of recently reported non-A through -E hepatitis virus designated hepatitis G virus (HGV) and its strain variant, the GB agent (GBV-C).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Pilot samples from 2461 blood donors in Japan, randomly selected to form cohorts with different levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and markers of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, were tested for RNA of HGV/GBV-C by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with nested primers deduced from the 5'-noncoding region.

RESULTS

HGV/GBV-C RNA was detected in 23 (7.4%) of the 361 donors with anti-HCV and HCV RNA. This detection is more frequent than that in donors without elevated ALT levels (< or = 45 U/L) or markers of HCV or hepatitis B virus infection (15/1303; 1.2%) (p < 0.001), donors with ALT values between 46 and 99 U per L (0/108) (p < 0.002), donors with ALT values > or = 100 U per L (5/361; 1.4%), and donors with anti-HCV but without detectable HCV RNA (1/93; 1.1%) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

More than 1 percent of Japanese blood donors were infected with HGV/GBV-C, and the prevalence was much higher in those with HCV RNA. Should persistent infection with HGV/GBV-C induce any hepatotoxic sequelae, either alone or in concert with the other hepatitis viruses, screening of blood units for HGV/GBV-C would deserve consideration.

Eosinophil adhesion regulates RANTES production in nasal epithelial cells

Among the many known chemotactic factors for eosinophils, the proinflammatory chemokine RANTES is particularly important, because it is potently and selectively chemotactic for eosinophils. Throughout the process of the migration of eosinophils from the blood vessels into the nasal cavity, eosinophil functions are assumed to be regulated by surface adhesion molecules. Conversely, the messages conferred by the eosinophils to the endothelial and epithelial cells are also of great interest. In the present study, we showed that eosinophil adhesion to human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) inhibits RANTES production in HNECs. Eosinophils were isolated from peripheral blood obtained from patients with allergic rhinitis. Human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells and HNECs were isolated from human nasal mucosa specimens. After stimulation of the HNECs in the presence of eosinophils, the secretion of RANTES, induced by a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, appeared to have decreased. The amount of the decrease was a function of the number of involved eosinophils. On the other hand, the presence of eosinophils did not affect RANTES production by the endothelial cells. After pretreatment of the eosinophils with anti-CD18 mAb or coculture with HNECs in Transwell culture inserts, these cells did not inhibit the TNF-alpha- and IFN-gamma-induced RANTES production. These results were virtually identical with those observed on RANTES mRNA expression. The adhesion of eosinophils to HNECs plays a key role in the inhibition of RANTES production. Our data indicate that a certain established system causes the signal transfer from eosinophils to HNECs to inhibit RANTES production, thus decreasing the eosinophil infiltration.

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: a novel splice acceptor site mutation in intron 4 of the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase gene in an Afghanistan girl with classical Morquio disease

We report here a novel splice site mutation in intron 4 of the gene for N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) in an Afghanistan girl with severe mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (classical Morquio disease). Direct sequencing revealed a homozygous G to A transition in the conserved splice acceptor site in intron 4 (cagG-->caaG: designated IVS 4(-I) G-->A) which eliminates 144 nucleotides of exon 5 in her GALNS transcript and introduces an immediate premature termination codon (at Trp 141 of exon 4). The IVS 4(-1) G-->A has not been seen in other populations and this is the first report of the molecular basis of classical Morquio disease in an Afghanistan patient.

High prevalence of the CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains in Japanese asymptomatic patients and gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown that infection of Helicobacter pylori strains possessing cagA is associated with atrophic gastritis and gastric cancers.

METHOD

In 58 pairs of early gastric cancer patients and sex- and age-matched controls, isolated H. pylori strains were tested for possession of cagA. The presence of atrophic gastritis was also examined.

RESULTS

Proportions of cagA-positive strains were 100% in cancer patients and 92.3% in controls. Atrophic gastritis was seen in 96.7% and 95.8% of cancer and control patients in whom cagA-positive strains (NS) were detected. However, it was seen in only 20% of H. pylori-negative control patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results do not suggest any specific association between cagA-positive strains and gastric cancer. However, frequent prevalence of cagA-positive strains might be associated with the high incidence of atrophic gastritis in Japanese populations.

[Evaluation of treatment for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater]

105 cases of resected carcinoma of the papilla of Vater were studied and 5-year cumulative survival rate of PD was 56.5% and that of each stage was as follows: stage I 93.3%, stage II 70.2%, stage III 7.3%, stage IV 0%. The most significant histological factor influencing on prognosis was pancreatic invasion. 3-year survival rate of panc1a was 75.0%, significantly much better than that of panc1b (29.8%). The lymph node metastasis was frequently noted at no. 14 (11.5%). All of no. 14 lymph-adenectomy and no. 16 lymph-adenectomy on the case suspected as pancreatic parenchymal invasion, produced long-term survive even with metastasis of no. 14. This method led improvement of prognosis of stage II and stage III determined by lymph node factor. However, each prognosis of panc 1b, 2, 3 cases was not improved by this method, especially panc2, 3 cases survived fewer than only 2 years. Extended lymphadenectomy and multimodality therapy were needed on the cases which were suspected as pancreatic parenchymal invasion.

Synthesis by an alpha-glucosidase of glycosyl-trehaloses with an isomaltosyl residue

Glycosyl-trehaloses with an isomaltosyl residue were synthesized by alpha-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger by using maltotetraose as a glucosyl donor and trehalose as the acceptor. The one trisaccharide and two tetrasaccharides formed were isolated by successive column chromatography. The results of an enzymatic digestion, methylation analysis, and 13C-NMR studies indicated that these oligosaccharides were alpha-isomaltosyl alpha-glucoside, alpha-isomaltotriosyl alpha-glucoside and alpha-isomaltoside. These oligosaccharides were not fermented to an acid by Streptococcus mutans, and they effectively inhibited water-insoluble glucan synthesis from sucrose by glucosyltransferase. In an in vitro utilization test with human intestinal bacteria, these oligosaccharides were predominantly utilized by Bifidobacteria.

[Anesthetic managements for pericardiectomy of three patients with constrictive pericarditis]

We experienced three patients with constrictive pericarditis who underwent pericardiectomy. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was carried out in two patients because of unstable hemodynamics caused by massive bleeding or cardiac compression due to surgical manipulation. In the other patient with severe tachycardia, we prepared PCPS before the induction of anesthesia, and could manage the whole course of anesthesia satisfactorily. It is suggested that PCPS is the most reliable way to support hemodynamics during anesthesia in patients with constrictive pericarditis.

Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia

Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, cataracts, short stature and varying degrees of mental retardation. A high incidence of malignant disease associated with this syndrome has not so far been reported. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl affected with Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome, who developed acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML, M2), and whose karyotype was 46,XX,t(8;21),(q22;q22) in bone marrow blasts. This is the first report of Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome associated with malignant disorders.

[Relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and pure tone thresholds in normal and hearing-impaired ears]

To establish clinical criteria for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in order to distinguish normal-hearing from hearing-impaired ears, DPOAEs were measured and evaluated in 325 normal and 291 cochlear-impaired human ears using an ILO92 Otoacoustic Emission Analyzer. The background noise level was too variational in each individual ear to ignore in DPOAE measurements. Therefore, the value of the difference between the DPOAE amplitude and the background noise level (DPOAE noise) was calculated and compared with the pure tone threshold at 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. It was difficult, however, to precisely separate normal-hearing and hearing impaired ears with DPOAE noise values because many normal ears presented small amplitudes of DPOAEs and some impaired ears showed high amplitudes. Therefore, cumulative distributions of sensitivity (normal hearing ears identified as normal hearing) and specificity (hearing impaired ears identified as hearing impaired) were constructed and used to calculate a cut off point for DPOAE-noise in order to separate normal hearing from hearing impaired ears. It is considered that the cut-off points (DPOAE noise values of 7.3 dB at 1 kHz, 10.3 dB at 2 kHz and 16.1 dB at 4 kHz) at which the false alarm rates (1 specificity: the rate of hearing impaired ears incorrectly identified as normal hearing) correspond to 5% can be useful for clinical evaluation of DPOAEs.

Polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with features resembling hairy cell leukemia-Japanese variant

Polyclonal B lymphocytosis was found in four patients having clinical and hematologic features resembling those of hairy cell leukemia (HCL). All four patients were women between 37 and 67 years of age. Three patients had splenomegaly. Lymphadenopthy was absent or slight. Persistent lymphocytosis was seen in all the patients, and anemia and/or thrombopenia was observed in three of the patients. Abnormal lymphocytes have long microvilli and prominent membranous ruffles on their surfaces. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy specimens showed increased numbers of abnormal lymphocytes with round nuclei and abundant pale cytoplasm. Although these findings were similar to those of HCL, studies of Ig gene rearrangements and expression showed the polyclonal proliferation of B cells. We called this new disease hairy B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (HBLD). All four patients exhibited a polyclonal increase in serum IgG. The morphology of the cells in HBLD was more similar to that of leukemia cells of a variant form of HCL (HCL-Japanese variant) than to typical HCL cells. The surface IgG+, CD5-, CD11c+, CD22+, CD24-, CD25- phenotype and the weak tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in the cells were identical to those of HCL cells of the Japanese variant. Our findings suggest that the B cells in HBLD are the nonmalignant counterpart of leukemic B cells in HCL-Japanese variant.

Involvement of thromboxane A2 and histamine in experimental allergic rhinitis of guinea pigs

To identify the chemical mediators involved in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, we studied the effects of the thromboxane (TX) A2 receptor antagonist seratrodast, the peptide leukotriene receptor antagonist pranlukast and the antihistamine azelastine using a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis. In guinea pigs actively sensitized by aerosol inhalation of antigen, antigen challenge into the nasal cavity increased both the nasal vascular permeability and the intranasal pressure; it also induced swelling of the nasal mucosa, which was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Both seratrodast and azelastine significantly inhibited these antigen-induced responses when the drugs were administered p.o. 1 hr before antigen challenge. Also, the TX synthetase inhibitor ozagrel reduced the antigen-induced increase in nasal vascular permeability. On the other hand, pranlukast had little effect on the antigen-induced increases in nasal vascular permeability and intranasal pressure. Perfusions and inhalations of U-46619, a stable TXA2 mimetic, or of histamine into the nasal cavity caused concentration-dependent increases in nasal vascular permeability and intranasal pressure in normal guinea pigs. Leukotriene C4 also induced these responses, but the maximal responses to leukotriene C4 were less than the maximal responses to U-46619 or histamine. On the other hand, these responses were not induced by prostaglandin D2 or prostaglandin F2alpha. Moreover, the U-46619- and histamine-induced increases in vascular permeability and intranasal pressure were significantly inhibited by seratrodast and azelastine, respectively. In addition, levels of TXB2, a stable breakdown product of TXA2, and histamine in nasal lavage fluid increased after antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs. These results suggest that TXA2 and histamine play important roles in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs.

Evaluation of DNA polymerase beta gene mutation as a genetic marker for colorectal carcinoma

DNA polymerase beta is known to be involved in repair of DNA damage. Frequent mutation of its gene in the segment encoding amino acids 149-297 has been reported in colorectal cancer. To investigate whether mutation in this region is available as a genetic marker for colorectal cancer, 11 primary tumors and 4 liver metastases from 11 patients were examined by fragment length analysis and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products. Although allelic imbalance in the p53 and DCC genes were observed in ten out of eleven primary tumors and all liver metastases using a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism, mutation was not detected in the DNA polymerase beta mRNA. Neither was it detected in seven colon cancer cell lines. Present results suggest that mutation in this region is uncommon in colorectal cancers and is not a useful genetic marker for colorectal cancer.

Detection of latent varicella-zoster virus infection in human vestibular and spiral ganglia

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) becomes latent in the sensory ganglia after primary infection and VZV DNA has been found in human trigeminal, thoracic, and geniculate ganglia. In this study, human vestibular and spiral ganglia, which do not received innervation from the skin, were examined for VZV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction. VZV DNA was detected in 2 of 10 (20%) vestibular ganglia and in 2 of 10 (20%) spiral ganglia from five adults. VZV DNA was undetectable in either type of ganglion from a newborn and from two of the five adults. These two adults were VZV seronegative. The results indicate that VZV becomes latent in several types of sensory ganglion after primary infection and suggest the possibility that reactivation of the virus from the vestibular and spiral ganglia may cause disorders in the labyrinth.