OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the circulation of a new human herpesvirus (HHV), HHV-8 or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus in a geographical area where a high incidence rate of classical KS was already present before the appearance of the AIDS epidemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was carried out by analysing: (i) bioptic samples from classic, AIDS-associated KS, and controls; (ii) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from classic KS, HIV-positive subjects with and without KS and healthy HIV-negative individuals; (iii) semen samples from heterosexual HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals affected or not by KS; and (iv) cervical swabs from HIV-negative healthy heterosexual females. All specimens were tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences by a two-step polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Positive results were obtained in 90% of bioptic samples of classic KS and in 100% of AIDS-associated KS. Viral sequences were also present in 50% of PBMC of subjects with classic KS and AIDS-associated KS, in 10% of AIDS patients without the angiosarcoma and in 11% of healthy HIV-negative individuals. Finally, HHV-8 DNA was detected in 13% of semen of HIV-negative heterosexual individuals and in 10% of AIDS patients without KS. Both PBMC and ejaculates from the same individual gave positive results. No HHV-8 sequences were found in cervical swabs. CONCLUSIONS: HHV-8 is widespread in the general population in Sicily since it was detected in PBMC and semen of heterosexual HIV-negative individuals and is not found only in high-risk groups. The viral load appears to be more elevated in a high-risk population and it may be ascribed to a viral reactivation. The higher incidence rates of KS in Sicily compared with northern Italy and other European countries might be related to the presence of HHV-8 in the general population.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the circulation of a new humanherpesvirus (HHV), HHV-8 or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus in a geographical area where a high incidence rate of classical KS was already present before the appearance of the AIDS epidemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was carried out by analysing: (i) bioptic samples from classic, AIDS-associated KS, and controls; (ii) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from classic KS, HIV-positive subjects with and without KS and healthy HIV-negative individuals; (iii) semen samples from heterosexual HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals affected or not by KS; and (iv) cervical swabs from HIV-negative healthy heterosexual females. All specimens were tested for the presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences by a two-step polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Positive results were obtained in 90% of bioptic samples of classic KS and in 100% of AIDS-associated KS. Viral sequences were also present in 50% of PBMC of subjects with classic KS and AIDS-associated KS, in 10% of AIDSpatients without the angiosarcoma and in 11% of healthy HIV-negative individuals. Finally, HHV-8 DNA was detected in 13% of semen of HIV-negative heterosexual individuals and in 10% of AIDSpatients without KS. Both PBMC and ejaculates from the same individual gave positive results. No HHV-8 sequences were found in cervical swabs. CONCLUSIONS:HHV-8 is widespread in the general population in Sicily since it was detected in PBMC and semen of heterosexual HIV-negative individuals and is not found only in high-risk groups. The viral load appears to be more elevated in a high-risk population and it may be ascribed to a viral reactivation. The higher incidence rates of KS in Sicily compared with northern Italy and other European countries might be related to the presence of HHV-8 in the general population.
Authors: T J Spira; L Lam; S C Dollard; Y X Meng; C P Pau; J B Black; D Burns; B Cooper; M Hamid; J Huong; K Kite-Powell; P E Pellett Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2000-06 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Andrea Lisco; Massimo Barbierato; Josè R Fiore; Paola Gasperini; Anna Favia; Anna Volpe; Maria Chironna; Giuseppe Pastore; Luigi Chieco-Bianchi; Maria Luisa Calabrò Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2006-08-30 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: P E Pellett; T J Spira; O Bagasra; C Boshoff; L Corey; L de Lellis; M L Huang; J C Lin; S Matthews; P Monini; P Rimessi; C Sosa; C Wood; J A Stewart Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1999-05 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: P Cattani; M Capuano; R Graffeo; R Ricci; F Cerimele; D Cerimele; G Nanni; G Fadda Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2001-02 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: G Boivin; A Gaudreau; E Toma; R Lalonde; J P Routy; G Murray; J Handfield; M G Bergeron Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 5.191