Detection of serum antibodies to a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-specific peptide.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus type 8 (KSHV/HHV-8) may play an etiologic role in the pathogenesis of KS. In an attempt to assess KSHV/HHV-8 infection, an ELISA was developed using an 18-amino acid peptide from a putative minor capsid protein of KSHV/HHV-8 conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Overall, sera from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive patients with KS had a higher reactivity in the assay than did sera from HIV-1-positive patients without KS (P = .018). Of 35 HIV-1-positive patients with KS, 60% were antibody positive, compared with 27% of 33 HIV-1-positive patients without KS. Of 30 healthy blood donors, 20% were antibody positive. The ELISA responses did not correlate with antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus. Given the homology and antigenic relatedness between KSHV/HHV-8 and Epstein-Barr virus, serologic assays involving unique KSHV/HHV-8 peptides may prove to be valuable in defining the epidemiology and clinical expression of this virus.
Davis
D A
DA
HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch and Viral Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Humphrey
R W
RW
Newcomb
F M
FM
O'Brien
T R
TR
Goedert
J J
JJ
Straus
S E
SE
Yarchoan
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001782:Blood Donors; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine