Korean J Dermatol.  2000 Sep;38(9):1162-1167.

PCR Study for Human Herpesvirus 8 in Korean Patients with Several Cutaneous Diseases

• Jang KA
• Ahn SJ
• Lee HJ
• Choi JH
• Sung KJ
• Moon KC
• Koh JK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The association of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus, or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) with various skin diseases has been described in many reports. However, only 3 human diseases: Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman disease were proved to be associated with HHV8. In addition to Karposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis and Kikuchi's disease were also described to be associated with HHV8. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was aimed at the association of HHV8 with various skin diseases, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis, and Kikuchi's disease. METHODS: We performed PCR to examine whether the 233-bp segment of the viral DNA of HHV8 was detected in Korean patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis, Kikuchi's disease, angiosarcoma, and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. The medical records and histopathological specimens of patients diagnosed at Asan Medical Center from 1989 to 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: HHV8 DNA sequences were identified in 9 (69%) of sarcoid tissues from 12 patients with sarcoidosis and in all (100%) of from 8 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma but not in 2 tissues from 2 patients with Kikuchi's disease, in 3 tissues from 2 patients with angiosarcoma and 2 tissues from 2 patients with angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: HHV8 may be strongly associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma and sarcoidosis. However, the association with Kikuchi's disease, angiosarcoma, and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia was denied in this study. Further extensive study will be needed.

Keyword

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8); Kaposi's sarcoma; Sarcoidosis; Kikuchi's disease; Angiosarcoma; Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia

MeSH Terms

Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia
Base Sequence
Chungcheongnam-do
DNA, Viral
Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia
Hemangiosarcoma
Herpesvirus 8, Human*
Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
Humans*
Lymphoma, Primary Effusion
Medical Records
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoma
Sarcoma, Kaposi
Skin Diseases
DNA, Viral