Corticosteroid induced, HHV-8 positive Kaposi’s sarcoma in a non-HIV elderly patient

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) was first described in 1872 by Moritz Kaposi. In 1994, Chang et al. first identified DNA sequences corresponding to human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma biopsies. It is now believed that presence of HHV-8 is necessary but not sufficient to cause KS. Other factors like immunosuppressive therapy also play a role. We describe an HIV-negative elderly patient who developed KS of skin and mucous membrane after prolonged use of corticosteroids for knee pain. The patient was positive for HHV-8.