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Herpes virus (KSHV) associated Kaposi sarcoma in a 3-year-old child with non-HIV-induced immunodeficiency
G Kusenbach1, A Rübben, E M Schneider
1Kinderklinik der RWTH Aachen, Germany.
Unlabelled:
A 3-year-old boy of German descent suffered from two episodes of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis within 2 months. One month previously, the first skin lesion of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) had been observed behind his right ear. During the following 2 years KS disseminated not only mucocutaneously but also to visceral organs. Immunological evaluation revealed severe lymphocytopenia with reduced helper/suppressor T-cell ratio and impaired humoral immune response to pneumococci. Extensive laboratory tests gave no evidence for known immunocompromising infections. However, recently described DNA sequences from a Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) could be identified within skin tissue. As chemotherapy failed to stop tumour progression the patient was referred for bone marrow transplantation. Eighteen months later the KS is in remission and the patient in a good general condition.
Conclusion:
The case supports the hypothesis that KSHV is involved in the aetiology of KS. Bone marrow transplantation is possibly a therapeutic option for KS in patients with immunodeficiency not related to human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Insights
A young boy with Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and severe immune deficiency, not caused by HIV, showed KSHV DNA. Bone marrow transplant led to KS remission, suggesting KSHV
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- A 3-year-old boy presented with recurrent Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and disseminated Kaposi sarcoma (KS).
- Immunological evaluation revealed severe lymphocytopenia and impaired humoral immunity.
- No known immunocompromising infections were identified, but Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA was detected.