Relationship of HHV8 replication and Kaposi's sarcoma after solid organ transplantation

HHV8 DNA sequences have recently been isolated from all types of Kaposi's s arcomas, and its association in the etiopathogenesis of this tumor has been established. However, little is known about the regulation of HHV8 replica tion in immunocompromised patients seropositive for this virus, and its imp act on the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Through the study of a hea rt transplant patient who developed KS and in whom peripheral blood lymphoc ytes (PBLs) had been prospectively collected before and after transplantati on, we have investigated the pathogenesis of HHV8. Our results indicate tha t (i) HHV8 can reactivate soon after transplantation; (ii) viral replicatio n, as determined by quantification of HHV8 DNA load of PBLs, increases sign ificantly after transplantation; and (iii) increased HHV8 DNA levels in PBL s are associated with the development of KS.