Human herpesvirus-8 is not associated with angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia.
BACKGROUND
Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is an angioproliferative lesion, typically consisting of single or multiple red papules or nodules in the head and neck region. The etiology of ALHE, whether reactive or neoplastic, is unclear. It has been well documented in the literature that human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) DNA is present in the majority of cases of Kaposi's sarcoma; however, there is contradictory data regarding the association of this virus with ALHE.


METHODS
We performed immunohistochemical studies for HHV-8 on paraffin-embedded tissue from 23 cases of histologically confirmed ALHE. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for HHV-8 DNA was performed on 14 of the 23 cases that had adequate remaining tissue for the procedure. The results of the immunohistochemical studies and PCR analysis were compared.


RESULTS
HHV-8 immunohistochemical studies were negative in all 23 cases of ALHE. PCR-based analysis on 14 cases failed to identify HHV-8 DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined data from several, small published studies are equivocal for an association between HHV-8 and ALHE. The results of our large study show no association between HHV-8 and ALHE.
Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8059, USA.
Pradip
P
Bhattacharjee
Pei
P
Hui
Jennifer
J
McNiff
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000796:Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral