Human herpesvirus-8 in Kaposi's sarcoma of the conjunctiva in a patient with AIDS.

Purpose: To demonstrate human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) of the conjunctiva in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: Clinical observation, pathologic findings of conjunctival specimens, immunohistochemical staining for HHV-8-specific antigen, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of HHV-8 DNA, and detection of specific antibody in patient's serum at appropriate times.

Results: In the conjunctival specimen, swollen endothelial-like cells were found with slit-like vessels. CD 31-positive cells were noted on the inner surface of the slit-like vessels, and HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen was detected. The presence of HHV-8 DNA was demonstrated by PCR. Anti-HHV-8 antibody was found in the patient's serum.

Conclusions: This is the first case report in the ophthalmology literature that provides histological, DNA, and serological evidence that HHV-8 is involved in the pathogenesis of conjunctival KS.