title: AIDS, Kaposi sarcoma, and the lymphatic system: update and reflections.
abstract: Based on ongoing basic and clinical investigations, further evidence is presented that the AIDS-Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS) complex involves a progressive disturbance of the blood-lymph circulatory loop of fluid, macromolecules, and migrating cells. We first surveyed the spectrum of vascular abnormalities including Kaposi sarcoma (KS) found in the AIDS/ARC population, then non-invasively imaged lymphatic system abnormalities in AIDS-KS by whole body lymphangioscintigraphy, and finally examined the biologic behavior of AIDS-KS cells in long-term tissue culture. These observations are viewed in terms of the lymphatic and blood vascular route of entry and transport of free and cell-associated virus and other opportunistic pathogens as well as poorly understood host endothelial-immune system interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Way
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiala
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000276:immunology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology