Human Herpesvirus 8 and Kaposi's Sarcoma — Some Answers, More Questions

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Abstract
The discovery of the relation between Kaposi's sarcoma and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, or Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus) is a superb example of the benefits gained from the synergy between epidemiologic and laboratory science. A series of epidemiologic observations suggested that Kaposi's sarcoma, the most common AIDS-related cancer, had an infectious cause.1 Following this lead, Chang et al. used newly developed molecular methods to detect genetic sequences of herpesvirus in Kaposi's sarcoma tissue from patients with AIDS.2 Subsequent studies established the presence of HHV-8 DNA in material from lesions obtained from persons with other forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (the “classic” form . . .