Abstract: Zhang Yang*, Chen Guanzhi, Zhu Guizhi, Tang Zhanli, Chen Hongquan, Guo Xiaoyan. *Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China Corresponding author: Chen Guanzhi, Email: chenguanzhi@outlook.com 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the role of human herpesvirus type 7 （HHV-7） in the development of drug eruptions. Methods Venous blood samples were collected from 35 patients with mild drug eruptions at acute stage, 15 patients with severe drug eruptions at both acute stage and remission stage, as well as 50 healthy human controls. PCR was performed to detect HHV-7 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to determine the titer of anti-HHV-7 IgM antibody in serum. Statistical analysis was carried out by t test, one way analysis of variance, Chi-square test and q test. Results The detection rate of HHV-7 DNA was significantly higher in these patients with drug eruptions than in the healthy controls （82.00% （41/50） vs. 62.00% （31/50）, χ2 = 4.96, P < 0.05）, different among patients with severe drug eruptions （93.33% （14/15））, patients with mild drug eruptions （77.14% （27/35）） and the healthy controls （χ2 = 6.32, P < 0.05）, higher in the patients with severe drug eruptions than in the healthy controls （q = 3.50, P < 0.05）, but not significantly different between the patients with severe drug eruptions at acute stage and those at remission stage （73.33%（11/15）, P > 0.05）. The anti-HHV-7 IgM antibody titer was significantly increased in the patients with drug eruptions compared with the healthy controls （（69.319 0 ± 25.289 7） ng/L vs. （59.785 3 ± 22.438 2） ng/L, t = 1.99, P < 0.05）, but no significant difference was observed among the patients with severe drug eruptions （74.340 7 ± 31.411 2） ng/L）, patients with mild drug eruptions （（65.479 1 ± 21.326 1） ng/L） and healthy controls （P > 0.05） or between HHV-7 DNA-positive patients （（63.748 1 ± 27.239 1 ） ng/L） and -negative patients （（65.580 2 ± 36.258 4） ng/L, P > 0.05）. Conclusions Active HHV-7 infection exists in patients with drug eruptions, and may be associated with the development and aggravation of this entity.

Key words: Drug eruptions, Herpesvirus 7, human