human herpesvirus 8
Last reviewed 01/2018
Human Herpesvirus 8 is closely related to Epstein-Barr Virus (HHV-4)
- HHV-8 is an opportunist and generally does not cause disease in healthy
hosts. Immunosuppression or AIDS is usually required before disease is manifested
- HHV-8 infects CD19+ B cells and endothelial- derived spindle cells of Kaposi's
sarcoma lesions
- in addition to its role in Kaposi's sarcoma, it is known to cause a primary
lymphoma (primar-effusion lymphoma) and a B cell lymphoproliferative disorder
(a specific subtype of Castleman's disease)
- a case of bone marrow failure with plasmacytosis has been reported resulting from HHV-8 infection following renal transplantation
Reference:
- 1) P.S. Moore (2000). Editorial NEJM, 343(19), 1411-1413