Study of HHV-8 DNA sequences in archival biopsies from lesional skin of Kaposi's sarcoma, various mesenchymal tumors and related reactive conditions.
BACKGROUND
HHV-8 has been identified as the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and some lymphoproliferative disorders. In addition, there are anecdotal reports on the presence of HHV-8 in other tumors, especially cutaneous epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms. The aim of the study was to ascertain the value of identification of HHV-8 viral DNA sequences in routinely processed, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma and other mesenchymal tumors.


METHODS
The presence of HHV-8 sequences in archival material was studied by nested PCR using specific primers for amplification of a 233-bp long fragment of HHV-8 (ORF 26).


RESULTS
Thirty-three patients with KS (18 classic/sporadic, six post-transplant and nine AIDS-related) and various mesenchymal tumors and related conditions (n = 76) were studied. HHV-8 DNA sequences were detected in 29 of the 33 cases of KS and in one case of multiple eruptive dermatofibroma (MEDF).


CONCLUSIONS
Identification of HHV-8 DNA sequences in routinely processed tissue is a useful diagnostic marker for KS. Although other mesenchymal tumors are usually not associated with HHV-8, its presence is not fully specific for KS since HHV-8 sequences were also found in one case of MEDF. Therefore, PCR analysis for the detection of HHV-8 should only be used as an additional diagnostic marker for KS and in the context of other tools such as routine histology.
Kazakov
Dmitry V
DV
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
Prinz
Bettina M
BM
Michaelis
Sonja
S
Schmid
Mirka
M
Müller
Beatrix
B
Adams
Volker
V
Burg
Günter
G
Kempf
Werner
W
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008637:Mesenchymoma / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral