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Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a.k.a. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, is closely related to Epstein-Barr virus. It infects CD19+ B cells and endothelial-derived spindle cells of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and has been linked to KS and several B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. HHV-8 is believed to be sexually transmitted, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). To determine the mode of transmission and to identify risk factors, investigators examined mucosal secretions from 2 groups of men. No subjects had KS at the time of the study.
In the first group, the researchers detected HHV-8 in mucosal samples from 30 of 50 MSM who were seropositive for HHV-8; this group included both HIV-positive and HIV-negative subjects. Sheddin…