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Ultrastructural characterization of human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma‐ associated herpesvirus) in Kaposi's sarcoma lesions: electron microscopy permits distinction from cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Author(s) -
Said Jonathan W.,
Chien Kai,
Tasaka Taizo,
Koeffler H. Phillip
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199707)182:3<273::aid-path835>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - virology , cytomegalovirus , kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus , human cytomegalovirus , biology , herpesviridae , ultrastructure , virus , viral tegument , lytic cycle , betaherpesvirinae , viral disease , anatomy
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been shown by molecular techniques to be associated with infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8/KSHV), but specific ultrastructural characterization of the virus has been impaired by the frequent presence in these lesions of other herpesviruses, particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV). Since the ultrastructural appearance of HHV8/KSHV has been studied in the cell line KS‐1 uninfected with other viruses including CMV, it was possible to undertake a comparative study of CMV and HHV8/KSHV in KS lesions. HHV8/KSHV was sparsely present and lytic infection was restricted to endothelial cells. The following specific ultrastructural features allowed distinction between HHV8/KSHV and CMV: the viral particles were more delicate and less numerous in cases of HHV8/KSHV infection; the viral tegument was more electron‐dense in CMV than in HHV8/KSHV; dense bodies characteristic of CMV were absent in HHV/KSHV; complete CMV viral particles were more variable in size and generally larger (150–200 nm) than HHV8/KSHV (120–150 nm); and finally, the viral envelope was more pleomorphic in CMV than in KSHV/HHV8. Similarities between CMV and HHV8/KSHV included the basic structure of the nucleocapsids and the presence of capsids lacking central DNA cores (so‐called non‐infectious enveloped particles). These observations show that electron microscopy can be used to identify HHV8/KSHV and confirm the relationship between HHV8/KSHV and KS. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.