Herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in patients with Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma

DNA sequences closely related to herpesvirus-like sequences have been found in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Using PCR, we found herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in Kaposi's lesions and normal adjacent skin in five patients with Mediterranean Kaposi's sarcoma. We did not find these sequences in tissues from patients without Kaposi's sarcoma. Semi-quantitative PCR revealed many more herpesvirus-like sequences in Kaposi's lesions than in unaffected skin. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that an infectious agent closely related to gamma-herpesvirus is implicated in the pathogenesis of Mediterranean and AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.