title: Human herpesvirus 8, Kaposi's sarcoma, and associated conditions.
abstract: HHV-8 is a recently identified human herpes virus that can produce tumors, most often in immune compromised hosts. The virus is most closely associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, but is also clearly associated with primary effusion lymphomas and multicentric Castleman's disease. The prevalence of HHV-8 infection varies considerably, but is highest among men who have sex with men and others with histories of sexually transmitted diseases and high numbers of lifetime sexual partners. HHV-8 is shed in saliva, and less commonly in genital secretions. Treatment of HHV-8 associated diseases includes reversal of immune compromise either via discontinuation of immunosuppressives or immune reconstitution via antiretroviral regimens. Specific antiviral drug inhibit HHV-8 replication, and can result in responses in certain HHV-8-associated conditions.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 405 Irving Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Greenblatt
mesh_terms: D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies