title: Human herpesvirus 8 detection in nasal secretions and saliva.
abstract: The presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in nasal secretions and saliva from 14 HHV-8-seropositive persons, including 8 Kaposi's sarcoma patients: 7 were human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected, 6 of whom were asymptomatic. HHV-8 was detected in one or both body fluids in 8 (57%) of 14 subjects. Parallel PCR testing revealed the concomitant presence of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and HHV-6 in various combinations in these body fluids. These data indicate frequent shedding of multiple herpesviruses in nasal secretions and saliva, particularly in Kaposi's sarcoma patients. Both body fluids are therefore potential sources HHV-8 by nonsexual transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-1270, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Blackbourn
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Lennette
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ambroziak
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Mourich
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral