Human Herpesvirus 8 and Protection from AIDS Dementia Complex.
Infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been associated with the development of three distinct conditions: Kaposi's sarcoma, body cavitybased lymphoma and Castleman's disease. HHV-8 produces chemokinelike proteins including viral macrophage inflammatory protein II, which has been shown to block human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection of CD4-positive cells expressing CCR-3. As CCR-3 is a receptor for HIV-1 into microglial cells, it has been hypothesized that HHV-8 infection may inhibit HIV-1 infection of the brain, thereby decreasing the incidence of AIDS dementia complex. We reviewed published studies of the incidence of AIDS dementia complex in individuals with and without Kaposi's sarcoma. The data are consistent in showing a negative association between Kaposi's sarcoma and AIDS dementia complex and, although sparse, support the hypothesis that productive HHV-8 infection decreases HIV-1 infection of the brain sufficiently to decrease the incidence of AIDS dementia complex. This negative association should be examined in further cohorts of HIV-1-infected subjects, to exclude alternative explanations.
Grulich
Andrew E
AE
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia and St Vincent's Hospital HIV Medicine Unit, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia.
Dore
Gregory J
GJ
Brew
Bruce J
BJ