Human herpesvirus 8 DNA quantification in matched plasma and PBMCs samples of patients with HHV8-related lymphoproliferative diseases

Abstract

Background The quantitative evaluation of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) DNA is not well described in the clinical management of HHV8-related lymphoproliferative diseases. Objectives To evaluate and to compare HHV8 viral load in different blood compartments from patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and HHV8-associated solid lymphoma (SLY) and to establish which clinical sample would be preferable for HHV8 DNA testing. Study design We assessed HHV8 DNA in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) paired samples from 7 PEL, 8 MCD, 2 SLY HIV+ patients at the diagnosis and during the course of the illness by using a real time PCR assay. Results HHV8 viremia was always detectable at diagnosis. HHV8 DNA levels were correlated in matched pairs of samples at diagnosis and during follow-up (Spearman correlation coefficient: r = 0.83, p < 0.001 and r = 0.73, p < 0.001, respectively). The performance characteristics of the PCR assay with both materials did not show disparity by the analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve ( X 1 2 = 0.50; p = 0.48). Conclusions Plasma or PBMCs are both adequate samples for HHV8 DNA quantification and Real time PCR provides a reliable method to estimate viral replication in patients with HHV8-related lymphoproliferations, where HHV8 viral load is a consistent feature.