The association of skin diseases with human herpesvirus 8 infection in HIV carriers.
The seroprevalence to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) was surveyed in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) carriers with or without skin diseases, and also in HIV-1 negative individuals in Thailand. Using an immunofluorescence assay, the seropositive rates to lytic antigens of HHV-8 in HIV-1 carriers with or without skin diseases were 25% and 7.4%, respectively, but none of HIV-1 negative individuals had antibody. The seroprevalence to HHV-8 antigens was high in HIV positive individuals with low CD4/CD8 ratio, suggesting that HHV-8 is reactivated during the immunosuppressive state. Several polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 34-38,000 and 40,000, which were specific to HHV-8, were identified by the immunoprecipitation test using the seropositive sera. Our results suggested that HHV-8 co-existed with HIV in HIV-1 carriers and the existence of HHV-8 may be associated with clinical features in the skin.
Na Ayuthaya
P I
PI
Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand.
Inagi
R
R
Auwanit
W
W
Warachit
P
P
Kullavanijaya
P
P
Wessagowit
V
V
Ungpakorn
R
R
Loaphoomphan
N
N
Piradhammanon
P
P
Yamanishi
K
K
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000821:virology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral