title: Serologic and molecular evidence of human herpesvirus 8 activation in renal transplant recipients.
abstract: This study was designed to determine whether there is serologic or molecular evidence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) activation in renal transplant patients, an immunocompromised population at risk for development of Kaposi's sarcoma. Indirect immunofluorescence for detection of HHV-8 serum antibody and Southern blot polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of viral DNA in whole blood were used. Seroprevalence and geometric mean titer (GMT) were significantly increased in the transplant group compared with healthy adults and were comparable to those in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults (transplant patients, 50% [GMT 1:210]; healthy adults, 7% [GMT 1:44]; HIV-positive patients, 73% [GMT 1:172]). Viral DNA was present in the blood of some renal transplant patients (3/33 PCR-positive) but in none of 20 healthy adults. Thus, there is both serologic and molecular evidence of HHV-8 activation in the renal transplant population compared with healthy adults (P<.01). The serologic results approximate those obtained for HIV-positive adults.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology, Microbiology, and Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galvaston, TX 77555-0741, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hudnall
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rady
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tyring
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fish
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral