[Kaposi disease in an LAV/HTLV-III antibody negative patient at risk for AIDS]

We report on a disseminated variant of Kaposi's sarcoma (M.K.) with a moderate course in a homosexual patient negative for LAV/HTLV-III antibodies. The disease had started at the age of 44 years. Clinical examination proved the patient's good condition. Serological findings revealed numerous former infections. Control investigations for 5 years have not shown any signs of immune deficiency, so far. Morphological investigation (applicable to all forms of M.K.) indicated a reversed differentiation of the vascular connective tissue with ensuing misdifferentiation. Thus, the tumor should be interpreted as an abnormal product of the primary vascular mesenchyme. It is characterized by a synchymal/spongiochymal structure. This view corresponds with older ideas. Recent histochemical and electron microscopical findings do not contradict this conception in any way, but do rather confirm it.