Detection and characterization of human herpesvirus-8-infected cells in bone marrow biopsies of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients

Hum Pathol. 2001 Mar;32(3):288-91. doi: 10.1053/hupa.2001.22749.

Abstract

We studied 15 bone marrow biopsy specimens from patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection for detection of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) DNA sequences by a very sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (with 3 different sets of primers). In addition, we used immunohistochemistry with antiviral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) and anti-latent nuclear antigen-1 (LNA-1) antibodies to localize the infected cells on tissue sections. Among the 15 samples, 6 had positive PCR results with the 3 sets of primers (orf26, orf72, orf75). Interestingly, in 2 of these 6 patients (both with Kaposi sarcoma) vIL-6 and LNA-1 were detected in mononuclear lymphoid cells but not in stromal cells of the bone marrow. The detection of vIL-6--positive lymphoid cells in bone marrow suggests a homing for HHV-8--infected elements in this tissue. The local release of vIL-6 may play some role in the plasmacytosis observed in bone marrow in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HUM PATHOL 32:288-291.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow / chemistry
  • Bone Marrow / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-6 / analysis
  • Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • Lymphocytes / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Phosphoproteins*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Stromal Cells / chemistry
  • Stromal Cells / virology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Interleukin-6
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • latent nuclear antigen (LNA)