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Human herpes virus 8: a new virus discloses its face
1Department of Pathology, University of Zürich, Switzerland. gieri.cathomas@pty.usz.ch
Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|April 27, 2000
Summary
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV), is a newly identified human tumor virus. Its presence is diagnostic for Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8), or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV), is consistently found in Kaposi's sarcoma.
- HHV8 is also invariably present in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and detected in AIDS-associated multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the role of HHV8 in various neoplasms and diseases.
- To clarify the controversial association of HHV8 with lesions beyond Kaposi's sarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Detection of HHV8 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization.
- Epidemiological surveys of HHV8 seroprevalence.
- Analysis of HHV8 infection patterns (latent vs. lytic) in different diseases.
Main Results:
- HHV8 detection is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test for Kaposi's sarcoma.
- Higher rates of lytic HHV8 infection are observed in MCD compared to Kaposi's sarcoma.
- HHV8 seroprevalence correlates with Kaposi's sarcoma risk, particularly in HIV-infected individuals.
Conclusions:
- HHV8 is definitively associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma.
- The role of HHV8 in other conditions like multiple myeloma requires further investigation.
- HHV8 is recognized as a newly identified human tumor virus.