Detection of Human Herpesvirus 8 DNA Sequences before the Appearance of Kaposi's Sarcoma in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive Subjects with a Known Date of HIV Seroconversion

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 174; no. 2; pp. 283 - 287
• Main Authors: Lefrère, J. J., Meyohas, M. C., Mariotti, M., Meynard, J. L., Thauvin, M., Frottier, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01.08.1996; University of Chicago Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; DNA; DNA, Viral - blood; Herpesviridae - genetics; Herpesviridae - isolation & purification; HIV; HIV infections; HIV Seropositivity - complications; HIV-1; Human herpesvirus 8; human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Kaposi sarcoma; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - virology; Longitudinal Studies; Lymphocytes; Major Articles; Male; Nucleotide sequences; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prospective Studies; RNA; Sarcoma, Kaposi - complications; Sarcoma, Kaposi - virology; Sexual Partners; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/174.2.283

The presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA sequences was sought by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 4 groups: 6 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons with well-defined dates of seroconversion, during the period between the diagnosis of HIV infection and the appearance of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); 45 HIV-positive persons with no symptoms of HIV infection; 11 AIDS patients with KS; and 14 AIDS patients without KS. HHV-8 DNA PCR was positive in 3 of the 6 patients during HIV infection preceding the appearance of KS and in all but 1 of 11 AIDS patients with KS. HHV-8 DNA PCR was negative in all but 1 of the 45 HIV-positive persons with no symptoms of infection and in all but 1 AIDS patient without KS. These results indicate that HHV-8 DNA may be detected several years before the occurrence of KS in HIV-infected subjects.