Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus: diagnosis, epidemiology and clinical significance with special reference to the situation in saudi arabia

Abstract EN

Background : Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), which is as yet the single known human -2 herpes virus, is also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) because of its strong association with the tumor.

Objective : The present study is aimed to contribute to the awareness of existence of HHV-8 in Saudi Arabia and its clinical implications especially with regard to the associated risk of developing Kaposi’s sarcoma in immuno-compromised patients.

Summary : This article reviews recent research findings on various aspects of HHV-8 including epidemiology and clinical importance, and discusses serology testing for the virus and prospects of antiviral therapy.

The paper also discusses recent findings on prevalence of HHV-8 in renal transplant recipients with special reference to patients from Saudi Arabia.

HHV-8 does not seem to be widespread in the general population of Saudi Arabia.

The increased HHV-8 antibody prevalence in renal transplant recipients in the country is partially explained by the induced immune suppression.

Running Title : Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus and clinical significance.