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Herpes virus (KSHV) associated kaposi sarcoma in a 3-year-old child with non-HIV-induced immunodeficiency

  • IMMUNOLOGY/ALLERGOLOGY
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Abstract

A 3-year-old boy of German descent suffered from two episodes of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis within 2 months. One month previously, the first skin lesion of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) had been observed behind his right ear. During the following 2 years KS disseminated not only mucocutaneously but also to visceral organs. Immunological evaluation revealed severe lymphocytopenia with reduced helper/suppressor T-cell ratio and impaired humoral immune response to pneumococci. Extensive laboratory tests gave no evidence for known immunocompromising infections. However, recently described DNA sequences from a Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) could be identified within skin tissue. As chemotherapy failed to stop tumour progression the patient was referred for bone marrow transplantation. Eighteen months later the KS is in remission and the patient in a good general condition.

Conclusion The case supports the hypothesis that KSHV is involved in the aetiology of KS. Bone marrow transplantation is possibly a therapeutic option for KS in patients with immunodeficiency not related to human immunodeficiency virus infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kinderklinik der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52057 Aachen, Germany Tel.: 49-241-8088779, Fax: 49-241-8888484, , , , , , DE

    G. Kusenbach, M. Barker, L. Lassay, H. Skopnik & G. Heiman

  2. Department of Dermatology, Technical University (RWTH) of Aachen, Aachen, Germany, , , , , , DE

    A. Rübben

  3. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Technical University (RWTH) of Aachen, Aachen, Germany, , , , , , DE

    A. Büssing

  4. Institute of Blood Coagulation and Transfusion Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany, , , , , , DE

    E. M. Schneider

Authors
  1. G. Kusenbach
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  2. A. Rübben
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  3. E. M. Schneider
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  4. M. Barker
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  5. A. Büssing
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  6. L. Lassay
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  7. H. Skopnik
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  8. G. Heiman
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Additional information

Received: 1 August 1996 / Accepted: 15 December 1996

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Kusenbach, G., Rübben, A., Schneider, E. et al. Herpes virus (KSHV) associated kaposi sarcoma in a 3-year-old child with non-HIV-induced immunodeficiency. Eur J Pediatr 156, 440–443 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050633

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050633

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