Typing of Human Herpesvirus 8 in Iranian HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative patients

What is it about?

Genotype A of human herpesvirus 8 was detected more frequently among HIV-infected patients with or without KS, whereas genotype C was found more common among HIV-negative subjects including classic/iatrogenic KS patients and IVDSs. Our data further support the dominancy of HHV-8 genotype C in Iranian general population. Moreover, genotype A was more common among HIVinfected patients with or without KS.

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Why is it important?

It is still unclear whether different HHV-8 genotypes may have different pathogenic and tumorigenic properties associated with a diverse rate of disease progression. In some areas where genotype C was found to be prominent among classic KS patients, genotype A was shown to be more frequent among AIDS-associated KS patients. Genotype C was previously reported to be widespread in Iran, with genotype A being less frequent among patients with classic KS although no data are available with regards to the HHV-8 genotyping among Iranian HIV-infected patients.