Human herpesvirus-8 in Kaposi's sarcoma of the conjunctiva in a patient with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) of the conjunctiva in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
Clinical observation, pathologic findings of conjunctival specimens, immunohistochemical staining for HHV-8-specific antigen, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of HHV-8 DNA, and detection of specific antibody in patient's serum at appropriate times.


RESULTS
In the conjunctival specimen, swollen endothelial-like cells were found with slit-like vessels. CD 31-positive cells were noted on the inner surface of the slit-like vessels, and HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen was detected. The presence of HHV-8 DNA was demonstrated by PCR. Anti-HHV-8 antibody was found in the patient's serum.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first case report in the ophthalmology literature that provides histological, DNA, and serological evidence that HHV-8 is involved in the pathogenesis of conjunctival KS.
Minoda
Hiroshi
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. damino@za.pial.jp
Usui
Norio
N
Sata
Tetsutaro
T
Katano
Harutaka
H
Serizawa
Hiromi
H
Okada
Shinya
S
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000821:virology*; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral