Studies on the association of Kaposi's Sarcoma with ubiquitous viruses.

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Kaposi's Sarcoma: A New Model in the Search for Viruses Associated With Human Malignancies

Tumor, lymph node, and skin biopsies of Kepesl's sercome (KS) patients were obtained from different high incidence areas of equatorial Africa and France. A total of 51 lines were established in tissue culture: 25 derived from tumor, 16 from lymph nodes, and 10 from skin biopsies. Long-term cultures had distinct, irregular growth patterns of cells, often noncontact-inhibited, with predominantly fibroblastoid or epithelioid characteristics. Cells were easily removed from the glass surface by trypsin and showed acid phosphatase and phagocytic activity to various degrees. Of 8 cultures (derived from cases of different regions) selected for study in greater detail, herpes-type viruses were observed in electron micrographs of 5. Comparative immunologic studies showed a common, precipitating, soluble antigen against human reference sera with high anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) but low anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) titers. In 4 cases, with high anti-EBV but low anti-CMV reactive sera from African Burkittts lymphoma patients, a common antigen was demonstrated. The possible implications of these results are discussed