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W Kempf

Publications and source records attributed to W Kempf.

81 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Viruses in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma--a review.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent malignancy in AIDS patients. Epidemiological studies indicate that a sexually transmitted infections agent other than HIV is involved in the evolution of KS. This "KS agent" may induce a cascade of cytokines which promote the development of the tumor in an autocrine and paracrine mechanism. In this review article several viruses, especially the recently discovered Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8), are discussed as possible KS agents, and different scenarios of the viral contribution to the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated KS are presented.

Cytomegalovirus↗

Detection of several types of human papilloma viruses in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Epidemiological studies indicate that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) may be caused by an infectious, preferentially sexually transmitted agent. Infections with human papilloma viruses are common, sexually transmitted diseases occurring frequently in homosexual men, who are also the main risk group for developing KS. In order to evaluate the possible role of HPV in the development of KS, 24 cutaneous AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcomas were investigated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridization for the presence of human papilloma viruses (HPV). HPV DNA sequences were detected in 5 of 24 KS specimens, in 4 of 13 normal skin specimens from AIDS patients without KS and in 5 of 14 skin specimens of HIV-seronegative patients. For the first time, HPV types 6 and 33 were detected by PCR in KS. A higher proportion of HPV types 16/18 was found in AIDS-associated KS specimens, whereas HPV type 33 was seen more often in normal skin specimens of the control group. Apart from the known HPV types 16/18 described in KS, this study demonstrates also the presence of HPV 6 and 33 in this condition.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Determination of hexokinase isoenzyme I and II composition by RT-PCR: increased hexokinase isoenzyme II in human renal cell carcinoma.

Hexokinase isoenzyme composition has been noted to vary in different tissues and with the developmental and metabolic status of the cell. Until now these investigations were performed either by isoenzyme electrophoresis or by column chromatography. In this report we described an RNA-PCR method to evaluate the percentage of HK-1 and HK-2 in different rat tissues. Furthermore we applied the method to determine if a shift in isoform composition is detectable in human renal carcinomas compared to normal kidney tissue. In all of our specimens we were able to detect a shift toward HK-2 in the carcinoma specimens. We discuss a possible role for the detection of the shift in isoenzyme composition as a possible marker to discriminate between normal and malignant specimens.

Adult↗

Human herpesvirus type 6 and cytomegalovirus in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: no evidence for an etiological association.

Epidemiological studies indicate that acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) may be caused by an infectious, preferentially sexually transmitted agent. Herpesviruses infections are common sexually transmitted diseases in homosexual men, who are also the main risk group for developing Kaposi's sarcoma. To evaluate a possible role of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the development of AIDS-associated KS, we investigated cutaneous AIDS-associated KS in 26 AIDS patients using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the presence of HHV-6 and CMV. Human herpesvirus-6 was detected in nine of 26 Kaposi's sarcoma specimens (all cases were HHV-6 subtype B) and in eight of 27 normal skin specimens from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and HIV seronegative patients (one case was HHV-6 subtype A and seven cases were HHV-6 subtype B). In two of four patients showing HHV-6 in KS of the skin, the virus also was detected in other investigated tissues, such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, and adrenals. Cytomegalovirus was detected only in AIDS-associated KS (seven of 26 KS specimens) and not in normal skin tissues of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients. Cytomegalovirus was detected in other organs of those patients showing CMV in Kaposi's sarcoma. Our data indicate that the presence of HHV-6 and CMV in AIDS-associated KS most likely reflects disseminated viral infection. Human herpesvirus-6 and CMV may be cofactors but not the only causative agents for the development of AIDS-associated KS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Detection of human herpesvirus type 6, human herpesvirus type 7, cytomegalovirus and human papillomavirus in cutaneous AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma].

In order to evaluate a possible role of viral infections in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), we investigated 26 cutaneous AIDS-associated KS by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. By PCR we detected human papilloma viruses (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and for the first time human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) in the KS. The prevalence of HPV, HHV-6, and HHV-7 was similar to or lower in KS than in normal skin tissues of AIDS patients without KS, but higher than in normal skin of HIV-seronegative patients. All HHV-6 found in KS were identified as HHV-6 variant B. In addition to the known HPV types 16 and 18 described in KS, we also found HPV types 6 and 33 in KS specimen. By immunohistochemistry HHV-6 could be localized in macrophages in KS, in the adjacent stroma as well as in normal skin of control cases. In situ hybridization for CMV and HPV gave negative results in KS and controls.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Assessment of the significance of histological, immunohistochemical and clinical data in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative skin diseases in conformance with a consensus by international experts].

The diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases of the skin remains a challenging problem in dermatology and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In our retrospective study two dermatopathologists independently reviewed 49 cases of skin lymphomas to determine the impact of diagnostic methods such as clinical examination, histological evaluation, and immunohistochemistry. The study was carried out in four independent review sessions consisting of (1) a review of histological sections only, (2) a review of immunohistochemical sections, (3) an introduction of the detailed clinical data, history, and staging information, and (4) and introduction of the follow-up. The agreement with the consensus was analyzed for every session, and statistics were calculated to evaluate the interobserver reliability. The agreement level with the consensus diagnosis was 18.8% for B-cell lymphomas and 12.5% for T-cell lymphomas after the first session, respectively, improved to 56.3% and 43.8% after the second session; to 100% and 79.7% after the third session, and to 100% and 85.9% after the forth one. The overall value for the diagnosis of T-cell lymphomas was 0.67 (good consensus) and for that of B-cell lymphomas was 1.00 (absolute consensus). The results of our study show that cutaneous lymphomas can be diagnosed reliably basing on the overall assessment of the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical data. In some cases, however, molecular biologic methods may be required to diagnose cutaneous lymphomas properly.

Aged↗

HIV - associated and non - HIV associated types of Kaposi's sarcoma in an African population in Tanzania. Status of immune suppression and HHV-8 seroprevalence.

In this study 77 patients with histologically confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were seen at the Regional Dermatology Training Centre (RDTC) in Moshi, Tanzania. Sixty six patients (85.7%) were HIV-seropositive KS-patients (40 males, 26 females; male: female ratio 1.5:1), whereas another 11 (14.3%) KS-patients, all males, were found HIV-seronegative, thus corresponding to the endemic African KS-type. In both groups the CD4+ cell counts were generally low, the CD8+ population increased and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio inverted. Immune suppression was, however, more prominent in the HIV-seropositive group.HHV-8 seroprevalence was high in patients with HIV-associated KS (94.6%), nevertheless, 3 (5.4%) patients in this group remained HHV-8 seronegative. All nine patients with the HIV-seronegative African type of KS were found positive for HHV-8. Of the entire group seen, males were more likely to be HHV-8 seropositive than females (OR = 3.348 95% CI, 0.96-11.65; p < 0.05). The relative risk to develop KS in individuals seropositive to both HIV and HHV-8 was high (OR = 10.6, 95% CI; 2.981-37.688; p < 0.001).Overall, HIV-associated KS differed from the non-HIV-associated by its widespread clinical dissemination on the trunk, the frequent involvement of the oral mucosa and the craniofacial region, and its more rapidly progressive course. No histological differences between the two KS-groups were seen, although spindle cell infiltrates were more often found in the HIV-associated KS-group.

Adolescent↗