KAPOSIS-SARCOMA (KS)-ASSOCIATED HERPESVIRUS-LIKE DNA-SEQUENCES IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS - ASSOCIATION WITH KS AND PERSISTENCE IN PATIENTS RECEIVING ANTI-HERPESVIRUS DRUGS

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences (KSHV/HHV-8) have recently been describ ed in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions. Many questions re main regarding the role of this virus in KS and the therapeutic implic ations of this finding. In the current study, KSHV/HHV-8 DNA was detec ted in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human immunodef iciency virus (HIV)-infected patients with KS (34/98) more often than in HIV-infected individuals without KS (12/64, P = .03). The detection of KSHV/HHV-8 DNA did not correlate with the CD4 lymphocyte count. Fi ve patients demonstrated KSHV/HHV-8 DNA in their PBMCs during administ ration of intravenous foscarnet and/or ganciclovir. The continued dete ction of KSHV/HHV-8 DMA in the PBMCs of patients receiving these anti- herpesvirus drugs has potential implications regarding the virus-cell relationship of KSHV/HHV-8, as well as for the value of these drugs in treating or preventing KS, but additional studies are needed.