[Gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma associated to AIDS. Case report]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) increases the risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies.
• Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a cancer associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), can manifest in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Gastrointestinal KS in HIV-infected individuals presents diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old female patient with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection presented with fever, skin lesions, and cough.
• The patient experienced an episode of upper digestive bleeding.
• Gastric video endoscopy revealed epithelial lesions suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Findings:

• Histological examination and subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification confirmed the presence of HHV-8 DNA.
• This molecular identification marked the first in the institution for KS with gastrointestinal involvement.
• The patient survived for 6 years post-HIV diagnosis without antiretroviral therapy.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of molecular diagnostics, specifically PCR for HHV-8, in confirming gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma.
• Underscores the potential for prolonged survival in HIV-infected patients with KS, even without immediate antiretroviral treatment.
• Emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for opportunistic cancers in immunocompromised patients.