Human herpesvirus 8 DNA quantification in matched plasma and PBMCs samples of patients with HHV8-related lymphoproliferative diseases.

Background: The quantitative evaluation of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) DNA is not well described in the clinical management of HHV8-related lymphoproliferative diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate and to compare HHV8 viral load in different blood compartments from patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and HHV8-associated solid lymphoma (SLY) and to establish which clinical sample would be preferable for HHV8 DNA testing.

Study Design: We assessed HHV8 DNA in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) paired samples from 7 PEL, 8 MCD, 2 SLY HIV+ patients at the diagnosis and during the course of the illness by using a real time PCR assay.

Results: HHV8 viremia was always detectable at diagnosis. HHV8 DNA levels were correlated in matched pairs of samples at diagnosis and during follow-up (Spearman correlation coefficient: r=0.83, p<0.001 and r=0.73, p<0.001, respectively). The performance characteristics of the PCR assay with both materials did not show disparity by the analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (X(1)(2)=0.50; p=0.48).

Conclusions: Plasma or PBMCs are both adequate samples for HHV8 DNA quantification and Real time PCR provides a reliable method to estimate viral replication in patients with HHV8-related lymphoproliferations, where HHV8 viral load is a consistent feature.