Detection of human herpesvirus-8 DNA in oral ulcer tissues of HIV-infected individuals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of detection of human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8) in HIV‐related oral ulcers. DESIGN: Analysis of archived biopsy material. METHODS: Nested polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracts. RESULTS: HHV‐8 DNA was detected in six of 10 oral ulcers of HIV‐positive patients without oral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions and five of 11 oral KS lesions. The positive non‐KS samples were derived from various oral sites. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV‐positive people, HHV‐8 can infect oral tissues that are not affected by KS.