Language
English
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Journal
Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
DOI
10.1177/20499361251313832
PMID
39866830
PMCID
PMC11758512
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
1-13-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Background: Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV8) can present with cutaneous or extracutaneous manifestations. While violaceous skin lesions characterize cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma, extracutaneous HHV8 is challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific symptoms.
Objectives: We evaluated the role of microbial cell-free DNA next-generation sequencing (mcfDNA NGS) in diagnosing HHV8-related illness.
Design: Retrospective analysis.
Methods: Between 2017 and 2024, we reviewed the medical charts of 10 immunosuppressed patients at a quaternary care center who had positive HHV8 mcfDNA NGS results.
Results: The clinical and laboratory turnaround times of mcfDNA NGS were 3 and 1 days, respectively (8.5 and 7 days for immunohistochemistry vs 5.5 and 2 days for serum HHV8 polymerase chain reaction). Eight patients received HHV8-related diagnoses, while two had unrelated conditions. Management changed in six patients post-testing due to outpatient specialist referral or adjusting antimicrobials.
Conclusion: mcfDNA NGS can aid clinicians in identifying HHV8-related diseases before tissue sampling and adjusting treatment plans in patients with nonspecific disease manifestations.
Keywords
clinical utility, HHV8, immunocompromised, mcfDNA nGS
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Berger, Rebecca; Jacobe, Jennifer; Centeno, Fernando H; et al., "The Utilization of Microbial Cell-Free DNA Next-Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Human Herpesvirus-8 in a Quaternary Care Center" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 4669.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/4669