Human herpesvirus 7 meningitis in an adolescent with normal immune function:A case report

BACKGROUND Human herpesvirus type 7(HHV-7)is a less common herpes virus that usually causes mild,self-limiting illnesses.However,in recent years,there have been increasing reports of HHV-7 causing serious central nervous system infections,especially meningitis.The pathogenesis and clinical features of HHV-7 meningitis,particularly in adolescents with normal immune function,remain incompletely studied.Therefore,the purpose of this report is to share a case of HHV-7 meningitis in an immunocompetent adolescent with a view to deepening our understanding of the disease.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old female was admitted with fever,headache,and vomiting.4 d before admission,the patient developed a fever without obvious induction,with a temperature up to 39.5℃,no convulsions,accompanied by chills,headaches,fatigue,and no muscle aches.The patient was treated with fever reduction,which could be reduced to 38℃;repeated high fever,accompanied by vomiting 7-8 times;and no abdominal pain or diarrhea.The patient was diagnosed with"acute suppurative tonsillitis"in a local hospital,and the blood routine was generally normal.The patient was given symptomatic support treatment such as"ceftriaxone sodium"and antiemetic rehydration for 2 d,and his condition did not improve.The patient's physical examination showed pharyngeal congestion,bilateral tonsil grade I hypertrophy,regression of purulent secretions,and cervical resistance.Ocular B-ultrasound:Opacity of the vitreous body and edema of the optic disc in both eyes.Optical coherence tomography examination showed that the macular fovea was generally normal in both eyes,with edema of the optic disc.DNA virus monitoring results:HHV-7.We gave ganciclovir antiviral therapy,dexamethasone anti-inflammatory treatment,mannitol to reduce cranial pressure,omeprazole to protect gastrointestinal mucosa,and calcium and potassium supplementation.CONCLUSION This study reports a case of HHV-7 meningitis in an adolescent with normal immune function.Through comprehensive analysis of the clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,and treatment methods of the patient,it is found that early identification and antiviral treatment are essential for the outcome of the disease.This case suggests that despite normal immune function,adolescents may still suffer from herpes virus type 7 meningitis,so clinicians should be vigilant and take effective treatment measures in time.

Genotypic analysis on the ORF-K1 gene of human herpesvirus 8 from patients with Kaposi's sarcoma in Xinjiang,China

Human herpesvirus 8 （HHV-8） is thought to be essential for the development of all forms of Kaposi＇s sarcoma （KS）. HHV-8 DNA is present virtually in all KS tumor biopsy samples. Genes at both ends of the HHV-8 genome have been shown to vary considerably. Seven major molecular subtypes of HHV-8 were defined based on the amino acid sequence of the open reading frame K1 （ORF-K1）, generally known as A, B, C, D, E, F, and Z. Most strains collected worldwide were clustered into two subtypes （A and C）. Here, the K1/VRI region of HHV-8 was amplified by nested PCR in 22 （81.48%） of 27 cases from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a province in northwestern China. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the K1/VR1 amino acid sequence indicated that the majority of these KS patients were infected by subtype C HHV-8 （n = 18, including 15 belonging to the C2 group）, and several by subtype A （n = 4, including 3 being the A1 group）. This is the first report of subtype A HHV-8 in China. Furthermore, the correlations between different forms and lesions of KS and different subtypes of HHV-8 were analyzed. The findings showed that subtype A HHV-8 resulted in significantly more frequent mucosal KS lesions than subtype C. However, there was no obvious correlation between different forms of KS and different subtypes of HHV-8.

Cloning and expression of MXR7 gene in human HCC tissue

AIM To clone and identify the whole cDNA ofMXR7 gene and to find out its expression inhuman HCC,and normal tissues.METHODS The DNA primers were designed andsynthesized according to the whole cDNAsequence of MXR? gene.The cDNA of humanHCC was taken as the template while the cDNA ofMXR7 gene was synthesized by polymerasechain reaction（PCR）.Recombinant DNAconforming to reading frame was constructed byconnecting purified PCR product of the cDNA ofMXR? gene with expression vector pGEX-5X-1 offusion protein.The plasmid MXRT/pGEX-5X-1was identified by sequencing.Using 32p labeledMXR? cDNA as probe,MXR7 mRNA expressionwas detected by Northern blot analysis in 12different human normal tissues,7 preoperativelyuntreated non-liver tumor tissues,30preoperatively untreated HCC,theparacancerous liver tissues and 12 normal livertissues samples.RESULTS Restriction enzyme and sequenceanalysis confirmed that the insertion sequence invector pGEX-5X-1 was the same as the cDNAsequence of MXR7 gene.Northern blot analysisshowed no expression of MXR? mRNA in 12 kindsof normal human tissues including liver,7 tumortissues in other sites and 12 normal livertissues,the frequencies of MXR7 mRNA expression in HCC and paracancerous livertissues were 76.6% and 13.3%,respectively.The frequency of MXR7 mRNA expression in HCCwithout elevation of serum AFP and in HCC【5cm was 90%（9/10）and 83.3%（5/6）,respectively.CONCLUSION MXR7 mRNA is highly expressedin human HCC,which is specific and occurs at anearly stage of HCC,suggesting MXR7 mRNA canbe a tumor biomarker for HCC.The detection ofMXR7 mRNA expression in the biopsied livertissue is helpful in discovering early subclinicalliver cancer in those with negative serum AFP.

Cytotoxicity screening of Melastoma malabathricum extracts on human breast cancer cell lines in vitro

Objective:To screen the cytotoxic activity of Melasloma malabathricum(M,malubathricum)against human breast carreer cell line(MCF-7)in vitro.Methods:A three steps extraction protocol using n-hexane,chloroform and methanol as the solvents systems was carried out on leaves,stems and flowers of M.nalabathricum.Dimethyl sulfoxide was used in extracts dilution and serial dilutions were conducted to obtain five different extract concentrations(100μg/mL,50μg/mL,25μg/mL,123μg/rnL and 6.25μg/mL).The evaluation of cell growth was determined using methylene blue assay.Results:Methanol extract from the leaves showed significant anticancer activity against MCF-7cell lines with the TC_(50)value of 7.14μg/ml while methanol and chloroform extract from the flowers exhibited a moderate activity towards MCF-7 cell line,with the IC_(50)value of 33.63μg/mL and 45.76μg/mL respectively after 72 h of treatment.Conclusions:The extracts from leaves and flowers of M.nulabatkricum showed promising anticancer activity toward human breast cancer cell lines with the lowest IC_(50)at 7.14μg/mL while the extracts from stems showed less growth inhibition activity.

Contributions of neurotropic human herpesviruses herpes simplex virus 1 and human herpesvirus 6 to neurodegenerative disease pathology

Human herpesviruses （HVs） have developed ingenious mechanisms that enable them to traverse the defenses of the central nervous system （CNS）. The ability of HVs to enter a state of latency, a defining char- acteristic of this viral family, allows them to persist in the human host indefinitely. As such, HVs represent the most frequently detected pathogens in the brain. Under constant immune pressure, these infections are largely asymptomatic in healthy hosts. However, many neurotropic HVs have been directly connected with CNS pathology in the context of other stressors and genetic risk factors. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which neurotropic HVs contribute to neurodegenerative disease （NDD） patholo- gy by highlighting two prominent members of the HV family, herpes simplex virus 1 （HSV-1） and human herpesvirus 6 （HHV-6）. We （i） introduce the infectious pathways and replicative cycles of HSV-1 and HHV-6 and then （ii） review the clinical evidence supporting associations between these viruses and the NDDs Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） and multiple sclerosis （MS）, respectively. We then （iii） highlight and dis- cuss potential mechanisms by which these viruses exert negative effects on neurons and glia. Finally, we （iv） discuss how these viruses could interact with other disease-modifying factors to contribute to the initiation and/or progression of NDDs.

Boost the Modernization of Human Rights Protection Systems and Endeavor to Fulfill the Chinese Dream——An Address at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Beijing Forum on Human Rights, Sept. 17, 2014

This session of the Forum has the theme, “The Chinese Dream： New Progress in the Cause of Human Rights in China.” This theme concentrates on such important subtopics as “The Chinese Dream and Human Rights” ,

Keep Firmly to the Road of Human Rights Development Suitable to China's National Situation——An Address at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Beijing Forum on Human Rights, Sept. 17, 2014

In November 2012, immediately after the close of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China （CPC）, CPC Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed to ＂realize the Chinese dream of the great revival of the Chinese nation.＂ He emphasized that the fulfillment of the Chinese dream regarding the great revival of the Chinese nation is simply the realization of the country＇s prosperity, the nation＇s revival and the people＇s happiness. All in all, the Chinese dream is the people＇s dream.

Reactivation of Latent Infection of Human Herpesvirus 8 in BC-3 Cells from Primary Effusion Lymphoma by Recombinant CytokinesSimilar to that Produced by HIV-1-infected T Cells

Objective: To study and confirm that recombinant cytokines similar to those produced by HIV-1 infected T cells induced lytic cycle replication of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in BC-3 cells, another cell line from primary effusion lymphama(PEL). Methods: The persistent stimulation of BC-3 was conducted by several cytokines known to be produced by HIV-1-infected T cells and important in growth and proliferation of Kaposi's sarcoma(KS)cells in vitro, such as the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) , tlie hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF / SF) , the Oncostain M(OSM) , and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)which is not produced by HIV-1-infected T cells. Treated and untreated BC-3 cells were collected at the 3rd and 7th day of persistent stimulation, respectively. Immuno-histochemical (IHC) staining, Northern blot, quantitative PCR (real- time PCR ) and electron microscopy (EM) were carried out to detect the expression of immunogenic protein ORF59, messenger RNA (mRNA) of minor capsid protein ORF26, and the presence of viral particles of HHV-8 from treated and untreated BC-3 cells. Results: It showed that IFN-γ, HGF/SF, OSM, and TNF-α were found to induce an increase in mRNA expression of ORF26 when added individually to BC-3 cells. Particularly, ORF26 expression stimulated with IFN-γ and TNF-α respectively, increased 6. 1 and 2. 5-fold(from real-time PCR results)at the 7th day when compared with untreated BC-3 cells. Meanwhile, about 20% of IFN-γ stimulated BC-3 cells expressed ORF59 at the 7th day as compared with 1. 5% of untreated BC-3 cells when IHC staining was employed. In addition, viral particles of HHV-8 were readily identified in BC-3 cells stimulated with IFN-γ at the 7th day with EM analysis. Conclusion;TNF-α and recombinant cytokines being similar to those produced by HIV- 1 infected T Cells could really induce HHV- 8 lytic cycle replication in BC-3 cells, another cell line of PEL.

Create an International Environment for the Peaceful and Steady Development to Boost the Sound Development of Human Rights on the International Stage——An Address at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Beijing Forum on Human Rights, Spet. 17, 2014

Since its initiation in 2008, the Beijing Forum on Human Rights has been bent on promoting our mutual understanding and expanding our common grounds. It has carried out very fruitful exchanges and researches around many important questions concerning human rights development, and hence attained great achievements. It has played avery constructive role in promoting exchanges about and cooperation in human rights between China and other countries, becoming an important and influential platform for international dialogs over human rights.

Early B lymphocyte development: Similarities and differences in human and mouse

B lymphocytes differentiate from hematopoietic stem cells through a series of distinct stages. Early B cell development proceeds in bone marrow until immature B cells migrate out to secondary lymphoid tissues, such as a spleen and lymph nodes, after completion of immunoglobulin heavy and light chain rearrangement. Although the information about the regulation by numerous factors, including signaling molecules, transcription factors, epigenetic changes and the microenvironment, could provide the clinical application, our knowledge on human B lymphopoiesis is limited. However, with great methodological advances, significant progress for understanding B lymphopoiesis both in human and mouse has been made. In this review, we summarize the experimental models for studies about human adult B lymphopoiesis, and the role of microenvironment and signaling molecules, such as cytokines, transforming growth factor-β superfamily, Wnt family and Notch family, with point-by-point comparison between human and mouse.

Heterotopic ossification after the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7

AIM To present the incidence of heterotopic ossification after the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7(rhB MP-7) for the treatment of nonunions.METHODS Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) promote bone formation by auto-induction. Recombinant human BMP-7 in combination with bone grafts was used in 84 patients for the treatment of long bone nonunions. All patients were evaluated radiographicaly for the development of heterotopic ossification during the standard assessment for the nonunion healing. In all patients(80.9%) with radiographic signs of heterotopic ossification, a CT scan was performed. Nonunion site palpation and ROM evaluation of the adjacent jointswere also carried out. Factors related to the patient(age, gender), the nonunion(location, size, chronicity, number of previous procedures, infection, surrounding tissues condition) and the surgical procedure(graft and fixation type, amount of rhB MP-7) were correlated with the development of heterotopic ossification and statistical analysis with Pearsons χ~2 test was performed.RESULTS Eighty point nine percent of the nonunions treated with rh BMP-7, healed with no need for further procedures. Heterotopic bone formation occurred in 15 of 84 patients(17.8%) and it was apparent in the routine radiologi-cal evaluation of the nonunion site, in a mean time of 5.5 mo after the rh BMP-7 application(range 3-12). The heterotopic ossification was located at the femur in 8 cases, at the tibia in 6, and at the humerus in οne patient. In 4 patients a palpable mass was present and only in one patient, with a para-articular knee nonunion treated with rhB MP-7, the size of heterotopic ossification affected the knee range of motion. All the patients with heterotopic ossification were male. Statistical analysis proved that patient's gender was the only important factor for the development of heterotopic ossification(P = 0.007). CONCLUSION Heterotopic ossification after the use of rh BMP-7 in nonunions was common but it did not compromise the final clinical outcome in most cases, and affected only male patients.

Human herpesvirus 6A induces apoptosis of HSB-2 cellsvia a mitochondrion-related caspase pathway

Apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral infections.In this study,we investigated the cell death processes during productive HHV-6A infection and the underlying mechanisms.Annexin V-PI staining and electron microscopy indicated that HHV-6A is a strong inducer of apoptosis.HHV-6A infection decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential and led to morphological changes of mitochondria.The cell death was associated with activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of DNA repair enzyme poly （ADP-ribose） polymerase,which is known to be an important substrate for activated caspase-3.Caspase-9 was activated significantly in HHV-6A-infected cells,whereas caspase-8 was not activated obviously.Moreover,HHV-6A infection upregulated Bax and downregulated Bcl-2.This is the first demonstration of mitochondrion-mediated,caspase-dependent apoptosis in HHV-6A-infected cells.

Construction of Adeno-associated Virus System for Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 Gene

To construct the recombinant adeno-associated virus （rAAV） vector with human bone morphogenetic protein 7 （BMP7） and observe the BMP7 mRNA expression in vitro, BMP7 CDS sequence was cloned into expression plasmid pAAV-MCS of AAV Helper Free System. The recombinant plasmid was identified with enzyme digestion and sequencing. The recombinant plasmid, pAAV-RC, pHelper were co-transfected into AAV-293 cells according to the calcium phosphate-based protocol. The viral stock was collected by 4 rounds of freeze/thaw. After purified and concentrated, the recombinant virus titer was determined by dot-blot assay. HEK293 cells were transfected with the recombinant virus at different MOI, and the expression of BMP7 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed rAAV-BMP7 was constructed and packaged successfully. The physical particle titer was 2.5×10^11 vector genomes/mL. There was different expression level of BMP7 mRNA after transfecton. These data suggested that recombinant AAV mediated a stable expression of hBMP7 mRNA in 293 cells. The AAV production method may pave the way of an effective strategy for the jaw bone defection around dental implants.

Distribution of Avian Influenza A Viruses in Poultry-Related Environment and Its Association with Human Infection in Henan, 2016 to 2017

Objective To survey avian influenza A viruses(AIVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7 N9 cases.Methods A total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7 N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to2017. The nucleic acids of influenza A(Flu A), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results A total of 27 H7 N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017, 24 had a history of live poultry exposure, and 15 had H7 N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets(LPMs). About 96%(264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs. H9 was the main AIV subtype(10.05%) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample, whereas 21.17% samples were H7-positive in H7 N9 cases-exposed environments. Samples from H7 N9 cases-exposed LPMs(47.56%)had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites(12.34%). The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18%(43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34%(43/104) of H9-positive samples.Conclusion The contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AIVs. Therefore, systematic surveillance of AIVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.

Human herpesvirus-8 positive iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma in the setting of refractory ulcerative colitis

Although Kaposi sarcoma(KS) has been more traditionally considered an AIDS-defining illness,it may also be seen in individuals on immunosuppresive therapy.We report a case of a patient who presented to the hospital in the setting of increasingly refractory ulcerative colitis.Computed tomography scan of the abdomen was consistent with sigmoid diverticulititis and blood cultures were positive for Klebsiella.After a course of antibiotics with resolution of infection,a colonoscopy was performed to evaluate his diverticulitis and incidentally revealed a new rectal tumor.Immunohistochemistry showed the tumor was consistent with KS,with cells staining strongly positive for human herpesvirus-8.This case not only illustrates a rare case of KS found in an HIV-negative individual,but it also highlights the importance of considering an alternative diagnosis in a patient refractory to medical treatment.We discuss the management and care of an ulcerative colitis patient diagnosed with KS on immunosuppressive therapy.

Comparison between direct repair and humana cellular nerve allografting during contralateral C7 transfer to the upper trunk for restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion

Direct coaptation of contralateral C7 to the upper trunk could avoid the interposition of nerve grafts. We have successfully shortened the gap and graft lengths, and even achieved direct coaptation. However, direct repair can only be performed in some selected cases, and partial procedures still require autografts, which are the gold standard for repairing neurologic defects. As symptoms often occur after autografting, human acellular nerve allografts have been used to avoid concomitant symptoms. This study investigated the quality of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion following direct repair and acellular allografting to evaluate issues requiring attention for brachial plexus injury repair. Fifty-one brachial plexus injury patients in the surgical database were eligible for this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Direct repair was performed in 27 patients, while acellular nerve allografts were used to bridge the gap between the contralateral C7 nerve root and upper trunk in 24 patients. The length of the harvested contralateral C7 nerve root was measured intraoperatively. Deltoid and biceps muscle strength, and degrees of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were examined according to the British Medical Research Council scoring system;meaningful recovery was defined as M3–M5. Lengths of anterior and posterior divisions of the contralateral C7 in the direct repair group were 7.64 ± 0.69 mm and 7.55 ± 0.69 mm, respectively, and in the acellular nerve allografts group were 6.46 ± 0.58 mm and 6.43 ± 0.59 mm, respectively. After a minimum of 4-year follow-up, meaningful recoveries of deltoid and biceps muscles in the direct repair group were 88.89% and 85.19%, respectively, while they were 70.83% and 66.67% in the acellular nerve allografts group. Time to C5/C6 reinnervation was shorter in the direct repair group compared with the acellular nerve allografts group. Direct repair facilitated the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Thus, if direct coaptation is not possible, use of acellular nerve allografts is a suitable option. This study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China (Application ID:[2017] 290) on November 14, 2017.

Expression of Messenger RNA of Oncoproteins E6 and E7 of Human Papilomavirus in Women with Negative Oncotic Cytologies, Epithelial Squamous Atypias of Undefined Significance and Low-Grade Intraepithelial Lesions

Objectives: To verify the prevalence of E6/E7 RNAm expression of HPV in patients with negative cervicovaginal cytology, ASC-US and LSIL;to correlate with negative anatomopathological exams and/or squamous intraepithelial neoplasy grade I (SIN 1) of the lower genital tract (LGT);to relate the RNAm expression with viral infection types;to assess the genotyping in single infections. Methods: Findings from 825 women submitted to E6/E7 RNAm survey and 422 women submitted to LGT biopsies were analyzed. Results: A larger percentage of E6/E7 in ASC-US and LSIL cytologies occurred. Negative results of RNAm expression were in accordance with negative cytologies and negative anatomopathological exam. In positive cases, the infection by a single HPV type was most prevalent, with the type 16 being the most common. Conclusions: the expression of mRNA was most prevalent in ASC-US and LSIL cytologies, comparing with the negative ones. The findings of SIN 1 biopsies were related to the positive expression of mRNA and negative cytologies;the negative expression was in agreement with negative anatomopathological exam. The infection by a HPV type was more frequent in cases of positive expression, the HPV type 16 being most frequently found. Patients with low grade intraepithelial lesion cytologies had a higher percentage of multiple infections.

Hepatitis C virus in human B lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus in vitro by in situ reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

AIM To study persistence and replication ofheltitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheralblood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured invitro.METHODS Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was usedto transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCVpositive patient to permanent lymphoblastoidcell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNAstrands of the cultured cells and growth mediawere detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR ) eachmonth. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV werefurther tested using immunohistochemical SPmethod and in situ RT-PCR.RESULTS HCV RNA positive strands wereconsistently detected the cultured cells for oneyear. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells andthe positive-strand RNA in supernatants wereobserved intermittently. Immunohistochemicalresults medicated expression of HCV NS3 and Cproteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positivesignal of PCR product was dark blue and mainlylocalized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCRsignal was eliminated by overnight RNasedigestion but not DNase digestion.CONCLUSION HCV may exist and remainfunctional in a cultured cell line for a longperiod.

Effectof the Local Strain CN5 of Human Herpesvirus 6 on CD Molecule Expression and PHA-Induced Proliferation of Cord Blood or Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC's) and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cultured with RPMI 1640 medium containing 20% fetal calf serum plus 5 mg/L PHA and 10 mg/L IL-Z, were inoculated with CN5 strain of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6 ) isolated from a Chinese patient with exanthem subitum and the CN5 infected cell lysates were added to cultures of CBMCs and PBMCs, so as to observe the effects of the local strain CN5 on expression of CD molecule or on proliferation of mononuclear cells by the methods of APAAP staining and MTT assay.The results were as follows: ①Expressions of some CD antigens of CBMCs and PBMCs could change after CN5 strain infection. In both cases, CD3 expresion was down-regulated while CD4 expression was up-regulated. There were no significant differences of CD2, CD8 and CD45RA expressions between the two groups with and without CN5 infection. But the ratio of CD4 to CD8 sigmificantly rose because of the increasing of CD4 positiveity. ②The lysates of CB5-infected CBMCs inhibited the liferation of PBMCs, not of CBMCs, in a protein concentration-dependent pattern. This inhibition was partially neutralized by specific antiserum to CN5, not by antisera to INF-α and TNF-α.

Prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis using nested-PCR

Objective:To study the prevalence of HHV-8 infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis.Methods:In this study,blood samples of 89 patients undergoing hemodialysis were collected.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and HHV-8 DNA was evaluated by nested-PCR.Results:Of total 89 patients,51(57.3%)were males and 38(42.7%)were females.The patients'age ranged from 24 to 90 years and the mean age was(57.5±1.4)years.HHV-8 DNA was found in 9 of 89(10.1%)peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples,8/51(15.7%)in males and 1/38(2.6%)in females(P=0.07).All patients who were positive for HHV8-DNA were more than 50 years old.Conclusions:This study shows high prevalence of HHV-8.Since hemodialysis patients are candidates for kidney transplantation and due to the possibility of HHV8-reactivation and its serious complications in immunocompromised patients,routine screening for detection of the virus should be implemented for all hemodialysis patients.