Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in Kaposi's sarcoma occurring in immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been implicated in the genesis of Kaposi's sarcoma and other tumors occurring in immunosuppressed individuals. Using amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing of extracted DNA, we have detected the KS330 233 sequence of KSHV DNA in Kaposi's sarcoma tissue from 4 immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients. The sequences shared a greater than 98% homology with those described in KSHV DNA from Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In another 2 renal transplant recipients KSHV DNA could not be detected in scar tissue at the site of previous Kaposi's sarcoma that had resolved after immunosuppression was discontinued and haemodialysis recommenced. These findings support the hypothesis that KSHV may be the infectious agent concerned in the genesis of Kaposi's sarcoma.