3rd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Washington, DC - January 28-February 1, 1996

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1996 Jan 28-Feb 1; 3rd:55 (abstract no. 16)

Humphrey RW, O'Brien TR, Newcomb FM, Nishihara H, Saville MW, Yarchoan R
NCI, and NIAID, Bethesda MD.

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences have been described in AIDS-KS lesions (KSHV/HHV-8, Science, 1994 Dec 16;266(5192):1865-9. ). Many questions remain regarding the epidemiology of the putative virus and its possible role in KS. We evaluated PBMC of 98 homosexual patients (pts) with AIDS-KS, 64 HIV-1 infected pts without KS (42 homosexuals, 7 heterosexuals, 14 blood factor recipients, and 1 injecting drug user) and 11 HIV-negative controls. PBMC from 9 of the HIV-infected male homosexual pts with KS were also evaluated during (7- 1147 days after initiation) acyclovir (ACV), ganciclovir (GCV) or combination foscarnet/ganciclovir (FOS/GCV) therapy. DNA was isolated and amplified by PCR with primers to the KS330₂₃₃ KSHV/HHV-8 DNA sequence. PCR products were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization using a fluoresceinated probe.

RESULTS: KSHV/HHV-8 DNA was detected in the PBMC of 34/98 male homosexual pts with KS (35%), but in only 12/64 HIV-infected pts without KS (19%; p=0.03) and 1/14 blood factor recipients (7%, p.07 compared with AIDS-KS pts). There were no linear trends in the relationship between CD4 count (median: 42, range: O-953- cells/mm³) and the presence of KSHV/HHV-8 DNA. Among 9 pts evaluated before and during anti-herpes therapy, 4/5 pts who were positive before therapy, were again positive on therapy: 2 on GCV and 2 on FOS/GCV. Also, one, originally negative, pt turned positive on FOS/GCV.

CONCLUSIONS: Many AIDS-KS pts, but significantly fewer KS-negative HIV pts, have KSHV/HHV-8 DNA detectable in their PBMC. There is no apparent correlation with CD4 count. The continued detection of KSHV/HHV-8 DNA in pts receiving anti-herpes therapy has implications for the potential value of these drugs in treating or preventing KS, but additional studies are needed.

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