Virus
Human herpesvirus 8
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
HYOO-mun HER-peez-VY-rus ayt
High-yield clue
Kaposi sarcoma vascular lesions, especially in advanced HIV, are the signature association of HHV-8/KSHV.
Overview
A double-stranded DNA gammaherpesvirus, also called KSHV, that is the recognized cause of Kaposi sarcoma and is a key example of an oncogenic virus linked to immunosuppression.
Classification
- DNA virus
- Double-stranded DNA
- Family Herpesviridae, Gammaherpesvirinae
- Genus Rhadinovirus
Lab & identification clues
- KSHV/Rhadinovirus classification concept
- Latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) vocabulary
- Spindle-cell lesion histology concept
- Serology and PCR detection vocabulary
Associations
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Primary effusion lymphoma
- Multicentric Castleman disease
- Strong link to HIV-associated immunosuppression
Commonly confused with
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Bacillary angiomatosis (Bartonella)
Your notes
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.