Detection of Human Herpesvirus 8 DNA Sequences in Classic Kaposi's Sarcoma, Premalignant and Malignant Cutaneous Epithelial Tumors / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) has been detected in all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The role of HHV 8 in dermatologic diseases other than KS is controversial. Some studies based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings suggest an association between HHV8 and epithelial tumors of the skin. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of HHV8 sequences in classic KS and some premalignant and malignant cutaneous epithelial tumors by nested PCR and find out any variations in HHV8 DNA by direct sequencing. METHODS: In total 71 sample tissues were obtained from Korean patients 5 classic KS, 12 Bowen's disease (BD), 19 actinic keratosis, 14 squamous cell carcinomas and 21 basal cell carcinomas. The first and nested PCR were performed to amplify the fragments of HHV8 open read frame (ORF) 26 and ORF 75 which were directly sequenced by dideoxy termination methods. RESULTS: HHV8 DNA sequences were found in 3 of 5 classic KS (60%) and in 1 of 12 BD. Other epithelial tumors were negative for HHV8. On sequencing PCR products, substitutions at 1033 C->T, 1086 C->T, and 1139 A->C were detected in ORF 26 of all 4 positive PCR products. In 2 of 3 KS positive for ORF 26, substitution was detected at 237 G->A in ORF 75. CONCLUSION: All of our Korean samples were included in the Zong's C strain. This study suggests that C strain is predominant in classic KS in Korea. But it is rare in non-KS cutaneous epithelial tumors. Studies of the length difference in the HHV8 genome should follow.