Co-infection and co-localization of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus in HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma: a case report.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a multifocal vascular neoplasm frequently observed in HIV-positive individuals, primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes, visceral organs, and lymph nodes. KS is associated primarily with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of co-infection and co-localization of KSHV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in KS arising from the conjunctiva, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH) were utilized to demonstrate the presence of KSHV and EBV infection in the ocular KS lesion. Nearly all KSHV-positive cells displayed co-infection with EBV. In addition, the KS lesion revealed co-localization of KSHV Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen (LANA) and EBV Epstein Barr virus Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA1) by multi-colored immunofluorescence staining with different anti-EBNA1 antibodies, indicating the possibility of interactions between these two gamma herpesviruses within the same lesion. Additional study is needed to determine whether EBV co-infection in KS is a common or an opportunistic event that might contribute to KS development and progression.

• Authors: Peter Julius, Guobin Kang, Stepfanie Siyumbwa, Jane Musumali, For Yue Tso, Owen Ngalamika, Trevor Kaile, Fred Maate, Phyllis Moonga, John T West, Peter Angeletti, Charles Wood
• Journal: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology (Front Cell Infect Microbiol) Vol. 13 Pg. 1270935 ( 2023) ISSN: 2235-2988 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 37928187 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Julius, Kang, Siyumbwa, Musumali, Tso, Ngalamika, Kaile, Maate, Moonga, West, Angeletti and Wood.

Topics

• Humans
• Sarcoma, Kaposi (complications, epidemiology)
• Herpesvirus 8, Human (genetics)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections (complications)
• Coinfection (complications)
• Herpesviridae Infections
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (complications)