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Human herpes virus 8(HHV-8)has been found in association with Kaposi's sarcomas in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-positive and-negative patients,primary effusion lymphomas(PELs),multicentric Castleman's disease,and multiple myeloma.The PELs share several features with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)-associated primary central nervous system lymphomas(1 CNS-L),including B-cell phenotype,infection with Epstein-Barr virus,and lack of c-myc gene rearrangements.This prompted us to investigate the role of HHV-8 in 1 CNS-L and other brain lymphomas.To identify HHV-8,we performed nested and single polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from autopsy and biopsy brain lymphoma specimens of 36 patients with and without AIDS.We detected HHV-8 DNA in 56%of all 1 CNS-L, with similar rates for patients with and without AIDS,but in just one of five metastatic B-cell lymphomas.Brain tissues histologically uninvolved by lymphoma were negative for HHV-8 in three patients in whom their 1 CNS- L was HHV-8 positive.In contrast,we easily demonstrated HHV-8 DNA in spleens and a KS lesion of patients with HHV-8-positive 1 CNS-L.All nonlymphoma brain controls were negative for HHV-8.HHV-8 DNZ is found in a significant percentage of 1 CNS-L,including patients with and without AIDS.Identification of HHV-8 in splenic tissue and absence of HHV-8 in control brain tissues suggests this possibility of a peripheral lymphocyte reservois for HHV-8.Systemically infected lymphocytes may plan a direct or indirect role in the pathogenesis of 1 CNS-L. |
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