Detection of human herpesvirus 8 in Korean Kaposi's sarcoma cases by polymerase chain reaction and in situ polymerase chain reaction.
Several infectious agents, including herpesvirus-like particles, had been suggested as possible candidates for the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and a new herpesvirus, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), was recently identified in the vast majority of KS lesions, irrespective of their association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, the etiologic role of HHV-8 in KS remains controversial. We undertook this study to screen for and localize the presence of HHV-8 in KS in Korea. A total of 46 paraffin-embedded specimens were studied, including KS, hemangioproliferative disorders, and 10 non-KS lesions from HIV-positive patients. We performed nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ PCR with HHV-8 specific primers. HHV-8 DNA sequences were detected in 8 of 11 KS specimens. All specimens of hemangioproliferative disorders, non-KS lesions from HIV-positive patients, and other skin samples were negative for HHV-8. When sequencing PCR products, the sequences were almost identical with the prototypic sequence for HHV-8. In PCR-positive tissues, in situ PCR staining of HHV-8 localized to nuclei of endothelial cells and perivascular spindle-shaped tumor cells. The results of this study suggest that HHV-8 is not widespread and has a certain causative role in the development of KS. Further studies, including serological and animal studies, will be helpful to appreciate an epidermiological link and pathogenetic mechanism between HHV-8 and KS.
Jang
H S
HS
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Korea.
Park
J H
JH
Oh
C K
CK
Kwon
K S
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral