DETECTION OF SEVERAL TYPES OF HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUSES IN AIDS-ASSOCIATED KAPOSIS-SARCOMA

Epidemiological studies indicate that acquired immunodeficiency syndro me (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) may be caused by an infecti ous, preferentially sexually transmitted agent. Infections with human papilloma viruses are common, sexually transmitted diseases occurring frequently in homosexual men, who are also the main risk group for dev eloping KS. In order to evaluate the possible role of HPV in the devel opment of KS, 24 cutaneous AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcomas were inve stigated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridi zation for the presence of human papilloma viruses (HPV). HPV DNA sequ ences were detected in 5 of 24 KS specimens, in 4 of 13 normal skin sp ecimens from AIDS patients without KS and in 5 of 14 skin specimens of HIV-seronegative patients. For the first time, HPV types 6 and 33 wer e detected by PCR in KS. A higher proportion of HPV types 16/18 was fo und in AIDS-associated KS specimens, whereas HPV type 33 was seen more often in normal skin specimens of the control group. Apart from the k nown HPV types 16/18 described in KS, this study demonstrates also the presence of HPV 6 and 33 in this condition. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.