HUMAN-HERPESVIRUS-8

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, KSHV) was discovered in 1994. This first d escription was made through differential gene amplification technique applied to Kaposi's sarcoma lesions and normal skin obtained from the same individual. HHV-8 is closely related to herpesvirus saimiri and E pstein-Barr virus? both of the Gammaherpesvirinae sub-family. The isol ation of HHV-8 in primary cell cultures is difficult. The virus was mo rphologically observed in and obtained from chronically infected cell lines derived from primary effusion lymphomas. Preliminary serological studies were performed by immunofluorescence and immunoblot assays us ing these chronically infected cells. Recently, recombinant antigens h ave also been used with good results. According to the first serologic al studies, HHV-8 infection seems to be restricted to Kaposi's sarcoma patients or subjects at risk for this disease in Western countries. H HV-8 is probably sexually transmitted. In some African countries, HHV- 8 infection seems to be widespread and is also detected in children, w hich would suggest other ways of transmission. Other means of HHV-8 de tection are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and molecular hybridizatio n. The detection of HHV-8 in human tissues is strongly associated with three diseases: Kaposi's sarcoma, body-cavity-based lymphomas (also d esignated as primary effusion lymphomas), and Castleman's disease. The virus is present in tissue lesions and also, less frequently and at a lower level, in healthy tissue. HHV-8 may be a causative agent in the se three diseases, particularly in Kaposi's sarcoma.