Advances in Tumor Virology

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) causes Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and is associated with B-cell malignancies. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma is an uncommon B-cell lymphoma characterized by proliferation of neoplastic B cells within the lumina of blood vessels. Although the underlying cause of this lymphoma is unclear, a previous report has identified a single case of HHV-8–associated intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL). We analyzed 5 cases of IVL for the presence of HHV-8, finding the second case of HHV-8–associated IVL. Human herpesvirus 8 protein expression (latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 [LANA-1]), Epstein-Barr virus–encoded RNAs (EBERs), and the cellular markers CD20 and CD45 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Intravascular lymphoma cells from a subject with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were positive for HHV-8 LANA-1, EBV EBER, and CD20 and CD45 expression. The 4 non-HIV–infected IVL cases were negative for HHV-8 LANA-1 and EBER expression. Future studies are required to determine whether the association between HHV-8 and HIV with IVL is true.