The Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus–associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome is a distinct clinical entity associated with high mortality in patients with HIV with Kaposi sarcoma even when HIV-1 viral load is suppressed.
The Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV; HHV-8) is the cause of three tumors: Kaposi sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and a form of multicentric Castleman disease. In this study, investigators describe 10 patients with KSHV-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS).
All were HIV-infected men who had KS (advanced in 9 patients) and five had a suppressed HIV-1 viral load. Symptoms were nonspecific and included fatigue, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, edema, cough, and dyspnea. Fever was uncommon; widespread lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were absent. Approximately half had anasarca, effusions, or ascites. Anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia were the most common laboratory abnormalities. Patients had significantly elevated i…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)