Distribution of human herpesvirus-8 sequences throughout the spectrum of AIDS-related neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
AIDS frequently associates with certain malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and anogenital neoplasia. In this study we aimed to define the frequency of infection by human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 throughout the spectrum of AIDS-related neoplasia in Europe.


METHODS
A tumour panel representative of the distinct types of AIDS-related neoplasms was tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences. Autologous uninvolved tissues were also tested in selected cases.


METHODS
The presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences was assayed by a combination of polymerase chain reaction followed by oligohybridization and Southern blot hybridization of genomic DNA with an HHV-8-specific probe.


RESULTS
HHV-8 sequences were detected in 100% of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (all 35 cases). Among AIDS-related NHL, HHV-8 sequences selectively clustered with body-cavity-based lymphomas (BCBL; all three cases), although they were consistently negative in small non-cleaved cell lymphomas (none in 18 cases), diffuse large cell lymphomas (none in seven), or anaplastic large cell lymphomas (none in three). No HHV-8 sequences were found in cases of anogenital neoplasia (out of 14) or Hodgkin's disease (out of three). HHV-8 DNA sequences were also positive in the uninvolved skin of all six AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma patients, but not in the circulating lymphocytes of a BCBL patient. Positivity for HHV-8 sequences occurred in patients belonging to all major AIDS risk categories.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm that HHV-8 sequences associate at high frequency with selected types of AIDS-related neoplasia, namely Kaposi's sarcoma and BCBL, although they are consistently absent in other types of AIDS-NHL and AIDS-related anogenital neoplasia.
Gaidano
G
G
Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, Italy.
Pastore
C
C
Gloghini
A
A
Cusini
M
M
Nomdedéu
J
J
Volpe
G
G
Capello
D
D
Vaccher
E
E
Bordes
R
R
Tirelli
U
U
Saglio
G
G
Carbone
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral