[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) › [Human herpesviruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/human-herpesviruses/) › Human herpesvirus 8

[Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) · [Human herpesviruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/human-herpesviruses/)

# Human herpesvirus 8

- Virus
- Enveloped
- Exam priority: medium

A herpesvirus that causes Kaposi sarcoma, mainly in people with AIDS or after an organ transplant.

Updated 2026-11-01

Also called: HHV-8, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, KSHV

## Key points

- HHV-8 = Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease.
- Purple skin and oral lesions in a patient with AIDS: think Kaposi.
- Biopsy separates it from bacillary angiomatosis (Bartonella).
- Antiretroviral therapy often makes lesions regress.

## At a glance

**Shape**
Icosahedral with tegument and envelope

**Genome**
Linear double-stranded DNA

**Envelope**
Enveloped

**Family**
Herpesviridae (gammaherpesvirus)

**Size**
About 150 to 200 nm

## Morphology

- Typical herpesvirus structure
- Present in every Kaposi sarcoma lesion

## Transmission

- Mainly saliva
- Sexual contact, transplantation and transfusion

**Reservoir:** Humans

### Isolation precautions

What the care team adds to standard precautions.

- Standard

## Virulence factors

- Lifelong latency in B cells and endothelial cells
- Viral genes that mimic growth factors and block apoptosis, driving vascular proliferation
- Most carriers never fall ill: immunosuppression is needed

## Diseases it causes

- Kaposi sarcoma (classic, endemic, AIDS-related and transplant-related) [Kaposi sarcoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/kaposi-sarcoma/)
- Primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease

## Clinical picture

- Purple patches, plaques or nodules on skin and mucosa
- Internal lesions in the gut and lungs, which can bleed
- Classic form: older men, slow lesions on the legs

## Diagnosis

- Biopsy: spindle cells and vascular slits with extravasated red cells
- Immunohistochemistry for the HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA)
- Endoscopy or bronchoscopy for internal lesions

## Treatment

There is no specific antiviral against HHV-8. In AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma the backbone is antiretroviral therapy, with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or local treatment added by extent. In transplant recipients immunosuppression is reduced when possible.

Drug class only; doses and regimens are set by the clinician from the current guideline.

## Prevention

- HIV control with antiretroviral therapy
- Standard precautions

## Memory aid

An 8 has two loops: picture two purple patches on the skin of a patient with AIDS.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which virus causes Kaposi sarcoma?

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a gammaherpesvirus.

## What is the backbone of treatment in AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma?

Antiretroviral therapy, which restores immunity and often shrinks the lesions.

## What does a Kaposi sarcoma biopsy show?

A proliferation of spindle cells with vascular slits and extravasated red blood cells.

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## Related

- [Epstein–Barr virus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/epstein-barr-virus/)
- [JC polyomavirus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/jc-polyomavirus/)

## Related conditions

- [Kaposi sarcoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/kaposi-sarcoma/)

## What the colours mean

**Gram-positive**
Thick peptidoglycan wall: stains purple.

**Gram-negative**
Thin wall with an outer membrane: stains pink.

**Acid-fast**
Lipid-rich wall (mycobacteria): Ziehl–Neelsen stain.

[← Back to the group: Human herpesviruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/human-herpesviruses/)

Educational content on microorganisms; not a treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Kaposi sarcoma](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000661.htm) (MedlinePlus (NLM), 2024); [Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version](https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/patient/kaposi-treatment-pdq) (National Cancer Institute, 2024).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/human-herpesvirus-8/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/human-herpesvirus-8/