Detection of the herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in matched specimens of semen and blood from patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma by polymerase chain reaction in situ hybridization.
The DNA sequences of a novel human gamma-herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) have recently been detected in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions obtained from different populations in whom this neoplasm occurs, suggesting that this virus may be implicated in the etiology and/or pathogenesis of KS. To study the distribution and possible means of transmission of the putative viral agent, specimens of KS skin lesions, matched uninvolved skin, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MCs), and semen were collected from 12 HIV-positive homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related KS (AIDS-KS) and 2 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative homosexual men with KS. HHV-8 virus DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies in all 14 of these KS specimens and in 6 of 14 biopsies of normal-appearing skin distant from any KS lesions including 1 uninvolved skin specimen from an HIV-negative homosexual male with KS. In addition, 3 of 12 PBMC samples and 3 of 12 semen samples from the AIDS-KS patients were positive for HHV-8. The DNA sequences of HHV-8 were not detected in the matched semen and PBMC specimens obtained from 2 HIV-negative homosexual men with KS, 4 HIV-positive homosexual patients without KS, 2 HIV-seronegative healthy homosexual men, 5 HIV-positive heterosexual male intravenous drug users, or 5 healthy HIV-negative heterosexual donors. Using PCR in situ, positive signals for HHV-8 were demonstrated in the B lymphocyte subsets of PBMCs and/or in spermatozoa and mononuclear cells in the semen from some of the PCR-positive specimens from the AIDS-KS patients examined. These data show that HHV-8 is present in and could possibly be transmitted via semen and/or blood from some homosexual men with AIDS-KS.
Huang
Y Q
YQ
Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center 10016, USA.
Li
J J
JJ
Poiesz
B J
BJ
Kaplan
M H
MH
Friedman-Kien
A E
AE
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral