Detection of human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in normal prostates

BACKGROUND. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA has been detected in semen and prostatic tissues in some, but not all reports. We have analyzed prostate tissues from HHV-8 seropositive men for the expression of viral proteins and determined if expression of these proteins are associated with increased inflammation. METHODS. Paraffin sections of non-cancerous prostates from HHV-8 seropositive (n = 16) and seronegative (n = 2) men who died with AIDS were screened for expression of three viral proteins by immunohistochemistry. Levels of inflammation were determined by expression of CD68 and CD20. Cellular proliferation was determined by expression of Ki67. RESULTS. Among the 16 HHV-8 seropositive cases, 68.9% (11/16) (95% C.I. - 0.41-0.89) were positive for HHV-8 protein expression, while the 2 seronegative patients showed no HHV-8 protein expression. There was increased inflammation among HHV-8 positive prostates. CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate that HHV-8 is present in normal prostates of HIV-infected men and the expression of viral proteins is associated with increased localized inflammation.