Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, also known as human herpesvirus 8, is a new gamma-herpesvirus present in all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma and in primary effusion lymphomas. Molecular epidemiological studies suggest that Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus is confined to the risk groups developing Kaposi's sarcoma; however, some have reported a more widespread distribution. First-generation serological assays suggest that this new virus is not ubiquitous and is predominantly sexually acquired. The viral genome encodes various proteins which could play a role in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphomas, including cyclin D and bcl-2 homologues, as well as the chemokines interleukin-8, macrophage inflammatory protein, an interferon regulatory factor, an interleukin-8 receptor and a neural cell adhesion molecule-like protein.