PROGRESSIVE HHV-8-POSITIVE CLASSIC KAPOSIS-SARCOMA - RAPID RESPONSE TO INTERFERON ALPHA-2A BUT PERSISTENCE OF HHV-8 DNA-SEQUENCES IN LESIONAL SKIN

The pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is often attributed to an in fectious agent. In particular, the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) was cur rently shown to be closely related to all known KS types, including HI V-associated KS, European classic KS, African endemic KS and iatrogeni c KS. Mie report here on an HIV-negative, German patient of neither Je wish nor Mediterranean descent with disseminated classic KS showing un usual rapid progression into the tumour stage. After systemic administ ration of interferon alpha-2a over 4 weeks all tumour lesions cleared completely Interestingly HHV-8 DNA sequences detected by nested polyme rase chain reaction in KS lesions before the onset of treatment were s till present in lesional skin after complete remission of the tumour. No recurrence was seen after a follow-up period of 6 months.