Clearance of human herpesvirus 8 from blood and regression of leukopenia-associated aggressive classic Kaposi's sarcoma during interferon-alpha therapy: a case report

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Nov 15;33(10):1782-5. doi: 10.1086/323982. Epub 2001 Oct 12.

Abstract

A human immunodeficiency virus-negative woman with severe classic Kaposi's sarcoma, idiopathic leukopenia, and massive spread of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in circulating cells showed stable disease remission in response to systemic interferon-alpha treatment that was accompanied by increased CD3(+) and CD4(+) T cell numbers and complete clearance of HHV-8 from the circulation. These results suggest a direct relationship between HHV-8 clearance from blood and regression of Kaposi's sarcoma and are consistent with the in vitro inhibitory effects of interferon-alpha on HHV-8 infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Leukopenia / complications*
  • Leukopenia / drug therapy
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins