KSHV HHV-8 — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateMicrobiologyKSHV HHV-8MFDS Part 1

An adult with advanced HIV infection presents with multiple painless violaceous plaques on the hard palate. Biopsy shows a spindle-cell vascular proliferation and confirms Kaposi sarcoma. Which human herpesvirus is causally associated with this condition?

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Correct answer: B — Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)

The correct answer is B: human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). The painless violaceous palatal lesions and spindle-cell vascular proliferation are characteristic of oral Kaposi sarcoma, particularly in marked immunosuppression. KSHV is also implicated in primary effusion lymphoma and KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease. Epstein–Barr virus (HHV-4) is associated with oral hairy leukoplakia and several lymphomas, but not Kaposi sarcoma. Cytomegalovirus (HHV-5) may produce oral ulceration in immunocompromised patients. Varicella-zoster virus (HHV-3) causes chickenpox and shingles, while HHV-6 is principally associated with roseola infantum.

Reference: Cesarman E, Chadburn A, Rubinstein PG. KSHV/HHV8-mediated hematologic diseases. Blood. 2022;139(7):1013–1025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34479367/