Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in non-Kaposiʹs sarcoma skin lesions of transplant patients

Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences (KSHV) have been reported to be associated with various forms of Kaposiʹs sarcoma (KS). To detremine if KSHV was associated with other proliferative skin lesions from non-AIDS immunocompromised patients. 33 skin lesions (based cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, actinic keratoses, verruca vulgaris, atypical squamous prolifarations, and seborrhoeic keratosis) from 4 organ-transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy were tested for KSHV by PCR. KSHV sequences were detected in 82 % of these skin lesions. Our results suggest that KSHV is associated with lesions other than KS in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients, and may also be involved in the pathogenesis of the various forms of proliferative skin lesions from organ-transplant patients.