Kaposi 's sarcoma herpes virus: diagnosis, epidemiology and clinical significance with special reference to the situation in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Human herpes virus 8 [HHV-8], which is as yet the single known human gamma herpes virus, is also known as Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus [KSHV] because of its strong association with the tumor. The present study is aimed to contribute to the awareness of existence of HHV-8 in Saudi Arabia and its clinical implications especially with regard to the associated risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma in immuno-compromised patients. This article review recent research findings on various aspects of HHV-8 including epidemiology and clinical importance, and discusses serology testing for the virus and prospects of antiviral therapy. The paper also discusses recent findings on prevalence of HHV-8 in renal transplant recipients with special reference to patients from Saudi Arabia. HHV-8 does not seem to be widespread in the general population of Saudi Arabia. The increased HHV-8 antibody prevalence in renal transplant recipients in the country is partially explained by the induced immune suppression. Running Title Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus and clinical significance: