Detection of human herpesvirus 8 DNA in Kaposi's sarcoma lesions and peripheral blood of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and correlation with serologic measurements.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to examine human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA from Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions, normal skin, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who did or did not have KS. Of 9 KS biopsies, 8 were positive for five HHV-8 open-reading frames and ranged from 1 viral genome per 2.5-12.7 cells. Two putative replicative gene RNAs were detected by reverse transcription-PCR at low levels in 1 KS lesion. HHV-8 DNA was detected in 4 of 8 PBMC samples from patients with KS and in 2 of 18 PBMC samples from patients without KS. Sera were tested for reactivity with BCBL-1 cells (HHV-8 positive): High immunofluorescence antibody titers against HHV-8 lytic and latent antigens were detected in samples from KS-positive patients, and >20 polypeptides from induced BCBL-1 cells were recognized. Sera from 6 of 18 patients without KS showed low levels of antibodies against HHV-8 lytic and latent antigens.
Smith
M S
MS
Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7420, USA.
Bloomer
C
C
Horvat
R
R
Goldstein
E
E
Casparian
J M
JM
Chandran
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000821:virology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral