Co-infection of HHV-6 and HHV-8 is rare in primary effusion lymphoma

The presence and distribution of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as well as human herpesvirus-6 and-8 (HHV-6 and HHV-8) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction in 191 samples from a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders. H HV-6 DNA was detected in 18% (30 of 169) of non-HHV-8 related lymphoprolife rative disorders, with the highest frequency in AIDS-related lymphomas (8 o f 25, 32%). In contrast, HHV-6 DNA was present in less than 5% (1 of 22) of HHV-8 related lymphoproliferative disorders [21 primary effusion lymphomas (PEL), and 1 cases of Castleman disease]. As compared to HHV-6, EBV DNA wa s frequently detected in PEL (11 of 19 samples, 58%). This study suggests t hat transformation to PEL is not enhanced by HHV-6, furthermore HHV-6 and - 8 may interfere with each other. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.