Disseminated kaposi's sarcoma after heart transplantation:Association with kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma is an endothelial tumor rarely diagnosed after heart transplantation. We report on a patient originally from Africa in whom Kaposi's sarcoma developed in association with Kaposi's sarcoma- associated herpesvirus. Methods: A man from Ghana had constitutional symptoms associated with multiple pulmonary nodules that developed 3 months after heart transplantation. Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed by thorascopic biopsy. Treatment consisted of reducing immunosuppression therapy and adding famciclovir treatment. Symptoms resolved within 1 month after treatment, and no disease progression was observed for 5 months. The patient died suddenly 8 months after heart transplantation; autopsy revealed occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and grade 3A rejection. Extensive Kaposi's sarcoma was observed in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract at autopsy. Results: Pathologic analysis of the tumor demonstrated features consistent with Kaposi's sarcoma. Polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization demonstrated the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. Conclusion: Kaposi's sarcoma rarely is diagnosed after transplantation. Patients infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus may be at increased risk. Screening for Kaposi's sarcoma- associated herpesvirus may be indicated in patients at risk. The role of antiviral medications and immunization in the treatment and prevention of the disorder is unknown.