Important note: Information in this article was accurate in June 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, June 5, 2000
Prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports
L.C. Pierrotti and colleagues reported on their study of HHV-8 viremia and antibody response in a selected group of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma in the Journal of Clinical Virology ("Detection of human herpesvirus 8 DNA and antibodies to latent nuclear and lytic-phase antigens in serial samples from AIDS patients with Kaposi's Sarcoma," J Clin Virol, 2000;16(3):247-251).
They analyzed paired samples using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and blood serum to detect HHV-8 DNA and antibodies to HHV-8 latent nuclear antigen (LANA) and lytic antigen. These samples were obtained from 12 patients with KS who were taking antiretroviral therapy.
"HHV-8 DNA was detected in 33.3% of the first PBMC samples. Among the eight PCR-negative patients, four presented positive samples during the follow-up and four remained negative," according to Pierrotti et al.
In addition, five of these patients demonstrated evidence of intermittent viremia, the investigators said.
Immunologic response, as determined by antibody response, was also interesting.
"Six patients (50%) had anti-LANA antibodies at the entry in the study. Among the six seronegative patients, two seroconverted two months later and four patients remained seronegative during the five to eight months of follow-up," Pierrotti et al. reported.
By the time their paper was submitted, all of the study patients had antibodies to HHV-8 lytic antigen, investigators noted.
Pierrotti et al. suggested, "The presence of HHV-8 viremia could be related to the severity of KS and could be intermittent even under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results."
The corresponding author for this study is L.C. Pierrotti Virology Laboratory, Av Dr Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, BR-05403000 Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Key points reported in this study are:
This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
000605
AW000601
Copyright © 2000 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1990, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.