title: Serological testing for human herpesvirus 8.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been identified in skin lesions of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and is now considered a co-factor for the development of the neoplasm associated with this disease. Several laboratory tests are currently available for use in the detection of HHV-8 antibodies--immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays being the most frequently used tests. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the existence of hyperendemic regions where HHV-8 infection is ubiquitous and often acquired early in childhood. The role of HHV-8 in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma has yet to be clarified completely and data collected from the epidemiological studies of HHV-8 prevalence may be useful in gaining a better understanding of the different factors involved in tumour development.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. sarmati@med.uniroma2.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarmati
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*