Simultaneous multiorgan presence of human herpesvirus 8 and restricted lymphotropism of Epstein-Barr virus DNA sequences in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative immunodeficient infant

Because a profound dysregulation of the immune system occurs in primary imm unodeficiencies, viral infections are not uncommon. Human herpesvirus (HHV) - 8 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, Southern blotting, and in situ hybridization (ISH) in peripheral blood mononuclear c ells and lymphoid organs (bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes) and endothe lial and epithelial cells and macrophages from several organs (skin, lung, esophagus, intestine, choroid plexus [but not in brain or cerebellum], hear t, striated muscle, liver, and kidney) of a human immunodeficiency virus- n egative infant with DiGeorge anomaly who died of disseminated infection. Ep stein- Barr virus DNA sequences were detected in the spleen and lymph nodes (by PCR and ISH) and in bone marrow (only by ISH) but not in blood or nonl ymphoid organs. This report is believed to be the first of multiorgan disse mination of HHV- 8 in a primary immunodeficiency.