DETECTION OF HHV-8 KSHV DNA-SEQUENCES IN AIDS-ASSOCIATED EXTRANODAL LYMPHOID MALIGNANCIES/

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences have been identified in a high proporti on of both AIDS-associated and classical Kaposi's sarcoma, and in a sm all percentage of AIDS-associated malignant lymphomas. To determine th e extent of involvement of this new agent designated HHV-8 (human herp esvirus type 8) or KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) in h uman malignant lymphomas, we analyzed 24 AIDS-associated lymphoid mali gnancies and 100 non-AIDS-associated lymphomas by PCR and Southern blo t analysis. Three of 24 lymphoid malignancies from patients with AIDS demonstrated HHV-8 sequences by Southern blot and PCR analyses. The fo urth was positive by PCR only. None of the non-AIDS-associated lymphom as contained HHV-8 sequences. All three Southern blot positive samples were derived from extranodal regions, two from pleural effusions, and one from a soft tissue mass in the thigh. This latter patient initial ly presented with a pleural effusion. The fourth PCR positive but Sout hern blot negative tumor was from a gingival lymphoma in a patient wit h a history of Kaposi's sarcoma. All tumors positive for HHV-8 were al so positive for EBV. These results confirm a recent report that this n ovel herpesvirus may play a role in AIDS-associated lymphomas, especia lly in those with body cavity presentation.