How do you get human herpesvirus 8?
HHV8 is spread mainly through saliva, but it may also be spread through blood and sexual contact.
What causes herpesvirus 8?
A type of virus that causes Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer in which lesions grow in the skin, lymph nodes, lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, and other tissues of the body). Human herpesvirus 8 also causes certain types of lymphoma (cancer that begins in cells of the immune system).
Is human herpesvirus 8 oncogenic?
From an oncological curiosity described more than 100 years ago to an AIDS-defining cancer, the discovery of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)) and its oncogenic enigmas has enlightened many fields of tumour biology and viral oncogenesis.
What does HHV-8 stand for?
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is the underlying infectious cause of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and other proliferative diseases; that is, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease. In regions with high HHV-8 seroprevalence in the general population, KS accounts for a major burden of disease.
Is there indication for serologic testing for human herpesvirus 8 ( HHV-8 )?
Is there an indication for serologic testing for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in asymptomatic HIV-infected children (compared with not testing) to guide clinical management? Antibody (or DNA testing) for HHV-8 is insufficiently sensitive/specific to predict risk of Kaposi sarcoma.
Is there a gold standard for HHV-8 infection?
However, there is no gold standard for diagnosing HHV-8 infection. Serologic tests range in sensitivity from 80% to ≥90% and interassay agreement is poor. 46 Combination assays containing both lytic and late-phase antigens may improve detection rates.
How does HHV-8 infection lead to neoplastic disease?
The exact mechanism by which HHV-8 infection leads to neoplastic disease has not been fully elucidated, but seroconversion to HHV-8 antibody positivity virtually always precedes development of the tumors. 1 The prevalence of antibodies to HHV-8 varies widely with age, geography, and certain risk factors.
Who is at risk for HHV-8 seropositivity?
Among MSM without HIV infection, the seroprevalence ranges from 13% to 20% and HHV-8 seroprevalence increases to 30% to 35% among MSM with HIV infection. 4-6 Injection drug use may also be a risk factor for HHV-8 seropositivity, 7 although this association has not been consistently observed. 8
