Loading...
A rare but serious complication of solid organ transplantation is Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has recently been linked to the development of KS; HHV-8 DNA sequences have been identified in KS lesions, and HHV-8 infection is associated with KS in HIV-infected individuals. Swiss investigators have now assessed the seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection in renal allograft recipients.
Serum samples from 220 individuals who received a renal transplant between January 1988 and February 1994 were assessed for anti-HHV-8 antibodies. Fourteen of 220 (6.4%) were seropositive at the time of transplantation, and 39 (17.7%) were seropositive one year following transplantation. Analysis of IgM and IgG anti-HHV-8 antibody levels in 10 of …