BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) remains the most common neoplasm in HIV-infected patients. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is etiologically associated with KS. Diagnostic procedures with regard to HHV-8 infection are not routinely performed in HIV-infected patients; diagnostic and prognostic value of HHV-8 serology or PCR are unknown in this setting. Epidemiological data concerning HHV-8 infection of HIV-infected patients in Germany are rare. OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence of HHV-8 infection in a cohort of HIV-infected patients with and without KS in Germany and to correlate this to manifestations and clinical course of KS. STUDY DESIGN: HHV-8 serology was performed in 483 patients in routine care for HIV-infection in northern Germany. HHV-8 DNA was analyzed by PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 293 patients; in a subgroup multiple samples were analyzed. History and manifestations of KS were recorded. RESULTS: HHV-8 antibodies were detected using IFT in 91% of 33 patients with KS and 52% of 398 patients without KS. In 36 of 293 (12.3%) patients HHV-8 DNA was detected in PBMC. In general, HHV-8 DNA was not continuously detected when multiple samples from the same patient were analyzed. Patients with KS history were more likely to be PCR positive than those without (45.5% versus 7.8%). In patients with active KS HHV-8 DNA was detected more frequently than in patients with disease remission. HHV-8 DNA was not detected in serologically negative patients. However, three patients with KS history in full remission for several years were seronegative. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients were frequently found to be positive for HHV-8 antibodies. The number of patients positive for viral DNA in PBMC was much smaller. Single PCR-examinations were of little value for prognosis, but repeated detection of HHV-8 DNA represents an increased risk of disease activity.
BACKGROUND:Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) remains the most common neoplasm in HIV-infectedpatients. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is etiologically associated with KS. Diagnostic procedures with regard to HHV-8 infection are not routinely performed in HIV-infectedpatients; diagnostic and prognostic value of HHV-8 serology or PCR are unknown in this setting. Epidemiological data concerning HHV-8 infection of HIV-infectedpatients in Germany are rare. OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence of HHV-8 infection in a cohort of HIV-infectedpatients with and without KS in Germany and to correlate this to manifestations and clinical course of KS. STUDY DESIGN:HHV-8 serology was performed in 483 patients in routine care for HIV-infection in northern Germany. HHV-8 DNA was analyzed by PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 293 patients; in a subgroup multiple samples were analyzed. History and manifestations of KS were recorded. RESULTS:HHV-8 antibodies were detected using IFT in 91% of 33 patients with KS and 52% of 398 patients without KS. In 36 of 293 (12.3%) patientsHHV-8 DNA was detected in PBMC. In general, HHV-8 DNA was not continuously detected when multiple samples from the same patient were analyzed. Patients with KS history were more likely to be PCR positive than those without (45.5% versus 7.8%). In patients with active KS HHV-8 DNA was detected more frequently than in patients with disease remission. HHV-8 DNA was not detected in serologically negative patients. However, three patients with KS history in full remission for several years were seronegative. CONCLUSIONS:HIV-infectedpatients were frequently found to be positive for HHV-8 antibodies. The number of patients positive for viral DNA in PBMC was much smaller. Single PCR-examinations were of little value for prognosis, but repeated detection of HHV-8 DNA represents an increased risk of disease activity.
Authors: Veenu Minhas; Kay L Crabtree; Ann Chao; Tendai J M'soka; Chipepo Kankasa; Marc Bulterys; Charles D Mitchell; Charles Wood Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2008-05-30 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: William H Wheat; Carlyne D Cool; Yoshikazu Morimoto; Pradeep R Rai; Charles H Kirkpatrick; Barbara A Lindenbaum; Christopher A Bates; Misoo C Ellison; Amanda E Serls; Kevin K Brown; John M Routes Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2005-08-15 Impact factor: 14.307