Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: association with KS and persistence in patients receiving anti-herpesvirus drugs.
Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences (KSHV/HHV-8) have recently been described in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions. Many questions remain regarding the role of this virus in KS and the therapeutic implications of this finding. In the current study, KSHV/HHV-8 DNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with KS (34/98) more often than in HIV-infected individuals without KS (12/64, P = .03). The detection of KSHV/HHV-8 DNA did not correlate with the CD4 lymphocyte count. Five patients demonstrated KSHV/HHV-8 DNA in their PBMCs during administration of intravenous foscarnet and/or ganciclovir. The continued detection of KSHV/HHV-8 DNA in the PBMCs of patients receiving these anti-herpesvirus drugs has potential implications regarding the virus-cell relationship of KSHV/HHV-8, as well as for the value of these drugs in treating or preventing KS, but additional studies are needed.
Humphrey
R W
RW
Medicine Branch National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1906, USA.
O'Brien
T R
TR
Newcomb
F M
FM
Nishihara
H
H
Wyvill
K M
KM
Ramos
G A
GA
Saville
M W
MW
Goedert
J J
JJ
Straus
S E
SE
Yarchoan
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D017245:Foscarnet / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D017245:Foscarnet; D015774:Ganciclovir