Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) associated with small non-cleaved cell lymphoma in a child with AIDS

The association of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) with a small non-cleaved cell lymphoma is described in a child with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed a malignant pleural effusion and radiologic evidence of multiple solid tumors. HHV-8 DNA and Epstein-Barr virus DNA were identified in pleural fluid cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The serum antibody titer against lytic HHV-8 proteins was 1:640; antibodies to latent HHV-8 proteins were not detected. Cytogenetic analysis of malignant cells revealed three abnormal karyotypes sharing the common finding of a t(8;14) translocation. Rearrangement of c-myc was demonstrated by PCR analysis. Oligoclonal JH immunoglobulin bands were found. Insufficient pleural fluid cells were available to permit localization of HHV-8 to malignant cells by in situ hybridization. This malignancy contrasts with HHV-8-associated lymphomas reported in adult patients with AIDS with respect to cell morphology, c-myc translocation, and oligoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. HHV-8 is associated with a wider spectrum of malignancies than recognized previously.