Marcelo Comerlato Scotta1, Alexandre Todorovic Fabro2, Paula Renata Lima Machado3, Simone Gusmão Ramos2, Maria Célia Cervi2, Benedito Antônio Lopes da Fonseca2, Fabrizio Motta4, Bento Vidal de Moura Negrini5. 1. Biomedical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. 2. Clinics Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. 3. Department of Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. 4. Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 5. Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi Sarcoma and interstitial pneumonitis in adults. This study aims to evaluate association between HHV-8 and interstitial lung disease in HIV-infected children. METHODS: HIV-infected children with interstitial pneumonitis underwent lung biopsies in a tertiary hospital and were investigated for HHV-8, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry in lung tissue. Peripheral blood PCR was also performed for HHV-8. RESULTS: From six patients included, PCR for HHV-8 was positive in lung samples in four children and in peripheral blood in one. PCR for EBV and CMV and immunohistochemical study for HHV-8, EBV and CMV in lung were negative in all patients. CONCLUSION: No previous cases of HHV-8-associated interstitial pneumonitis was described in HIV-infected children. An immunological disorder and an infectious agent might influence development of the lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. HHV-8 may be this infectious trigger.
INTRODUCTION: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi Sarcoma and interstitial pneumonitis in adults. This study aims to evaluate association between HHV-8 and interstitial lung disease in HIV-infected children. METHODS: HIV-infected children with interstitial pneumonitis underwent lung biopsies in a tertiary hospital and were investigated for HHV-8, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry in lung tissue. Peripheral blood PCR was also performed for HHV-8. RESULTS: From six patients included, PCR for HHV-8 was positive in lung samples in four children and in peripheral blood in one. PCR for EBV and CMV and immunohistochemical study for HHV-8, EBV and CMV in lung were negative in all patients. CONCLUSION: No previous cases of HHV-8-associated interstitial pneumonitis was described in HIV-infected children. An immunological disorder and an infectious agent might influence development of the lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. HHV-8 may be this infectious trigger.