Human herpesvirus 8 investigations: a role in the clinical management of Kaposi's sarcoma?
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a vascular tumour associated with infection by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Most of the recent studies on KS have focused on the epidemiology and molecular biology of HHV-8. However, the contribution of virological investigations into HHV-8 to the clinical management of KS has been poorly evaluated so far. From a diagnostic point of view, HHV-8 currently appears as a useful tool for distinguishing KS from its mimics. Seroconversion to antibodies against HHV-8 may predict the development of KS in susceptible individuals, and reduction of HHV-8 viraemia is associated with therapies effective against KS. Further prospective studies are still required to determine the role of serological or genotypic investigations into HHV-8 in the prevention of KS and in KS response to therapy.
Simonart
T
T
Hermans
P
P
Van Vooren
J P
JP
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral