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| 'Sumo virus' warning is issued | 'Sumo virus' warning is issued |
| (5 days later) | |
| A viral skin condition linked to contact sports such as rugby and wrestling has prompted warnings after two deaths in Japan. | A viral skin condition linked to contact sports such as rugby and wrestling has prompted warnings after two deaths in Japan. |
| "Herpes gladiatorum" - dubbed "scrumpox" in the UK - is passed through broken skin. | "Herpes gladiatorum" - dubbed "scrumpox" in the UK - is passed through broken skin. |
| The researchers, writing in the Journal of General Virology, studied 39 infected sumo wrestlers. | The researchers, writing in the Journal of General Virology, studied 39 infected sumo wrestlers. |
| They said the unusual strain found was easily spread and more severe than other virus types. | They said the unusual strain found was easily spread and more severe than other virus types. |
| A UK expert said serious complications were normally 'highly unlikely'. | A UK expert said serious complications were normally 'highly unlikely'. |
| As two of the wrestlers died as a result of their infections, cases like this do need to be investigated Dr Kazuo YanagiNational Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo | As two of the wrestlers died as a result of their infections, cases like this do need to be investigated Dr Kazuo YanagiNational Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo |
| The herpes infection is normally associated with the sexually-transmitted form, genital herpes, and cold sores, but in rare cases it can affect other parts of the body. | The herpes infection is normally associated with the sexually-transmitted form, genital herpes, and cold sores, but in rare cases it can affect other parts of the body. |
| Herpes gladiatorum is spread through broken skin, and has been often linked before with sports such as wrestling, which involve close body contact. | Herpes gladiatorum is spread through broken skin, and has been often linked before with sports such as wrestling, which involve close body contact. |
| It is generally diagnosed after the appearance of a rash of blisters, and while it can be treated with antiviral drugs, it can lie dormant in nearby nerve endings, and may re-emerge on a regular basis to cause similar symptoms in patients who contract it. | It is generally diagnosed after the appearance of a rash of blisters, and while it can be treated with antiviral drugs, it can lie dormant in nearby nerve endings, and may re-emerge on a regular basis to cause similar symptoms in patients who contract it. |
| The Tokyo University researchers looked at samples taken from 39 sumo wrestlers diagnosed with herpes between 1989 and 1994. | The Tokyo University researchers looked at samples taken from 39 sumo wrestlers diagnosed with herpes between 1989 and 1994. |
| Ideal conditions | Ideal conditions |
| Sumo wrestlers live and train communally in "stables" called "heyas", providing the perfect environment for the virus to spread. | Sumo wrestlers live and train communally in "stables" called "heyas", providing the perfect environment for the virus to spread. |
| Two of the infected wrestlers died as a result of the severity of their illness, although it is not clear whether any other aspect of their health may have contributed to this. | Two of the infected wrestlers died as a result of the severity of their illness, although it is not clear whether any other aspect of their health may have contributed to this. |
| While one particular strain, BgOl, is historically associated with herpes gladiatorum, the researchers found another BgKl, was more prevalent in their samples. | While one particular strain, BgOl, is historically associated with herpes gladiatorum, the researchers found another BgKl, was more prevalent in their samples. |
| Dr Kazuo Yanagi, who led the research, said: "Herpes virus can hide in our nerve cells for long periods of time and symptoms can reappear later. | Dr Kazuo Yanagi, who led the research, said: "Herpes virus can hide in our nerve cells for long periods of time and symptoms can reappear later. |
| "Our research showed that the BgKl strain of herpes is reactivated, spreads more efficiently and causes more severe symptoms than BgOl, and other strains. | |
| "As two of the wrestlers died as a result of their infections, cases like this do need to be investigated." | "As two of the wrestlers died as a result of their infections, cases like this do need to be investigated." |
| He said he hoped that research would lead to better medicines to stop the disease from spreading. | He said he hoped that research would lead to better medicines to stop the disease from spreading. |
| Scrum down | Scrum down |
| "Scrumpox" is a generic term for skin infections of varying types spread through close contact during rugby matches, and is the most reported form of herpes gladiatorum in the UK. | "Scrumpox" is a generic term for skin infections of varying types spread through close contact during rugby matches, and is the most reported form of herpes gladiatorum in the UK. |
| Professor Will Irving, a clinical virologist at Nottingham University, said it was rare, and that in otherwise healthy people, life-threatening complications were "very unlikely". | Professor Will Irving, a clinical virologist at Nottingham University, said it was rare, and that in otherwise healthy people, life-threatening complications were "very unlikely". |
| He said: "The effect is like having cold sores, except that the lesions will come up on your back, or somewhere else on your skin, instead of your mouth. | He said: "The effect is like having cold sores, except that the lesions will come up on your back, or somewhere else on your skin, instead of your mouth. |
| "To the vast majority of people, it would be a nuisance, but nothing more serious." | "To the vast majority of people, it would be a nuisance, but nothing more serious." |