Detection of human herpesvirus 8 DNA sequences before the appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive subjects with a known date of HIV seroconversion.
The presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA sequences was sought by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 4 groups: 6 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons with well-defined dates of seroconversion, during the period between the diagnosis of HIV infection and the appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); 45 HIV-positive persons with no symptoms of HIV infection; 11 AIDS patients with KS; and 14 AIDS patients without KS. HHV-8 DNA PCR was positive in 3 of the 6 patients during HIV infection preceding the appearance of KS and in all but 1 of 11 AIDS patients with KS. HHV-8 DNA PCR was negative in all but 1 of the 45 HIV-positive persons with no symptoms of infection and in all but 1 AIDS patient without KS. These results indicate that HHV-8 DNA may be detected several years before the occurrence of KS in HIV-infected subjects.
Lefrère
J J
JJ
Institut National de Transfusion Sanguine and Service des Maladies, Infectieuses, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
Meyohas
M C
MC
Mariotti
M
M
Meynard
J L
JL
Thauvin
M
M
Frottier
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral