NBME Microbiology Practice Test

Kaposi sarcoma is associated with which human herpesvirus?

EBV HHV-8 HHV-6 HSV-2

Correct Answer:

HHV-8

Explanation:

Kaposi sarcoma is driven by infection with a specific human herpesvirus known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also called HHV-8. This virus persists in infected cells and expresses proteins that promote endothelial cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation, leading to the characteristic violaceous lesions. The cancer tends to appear or worsen in settings of immunosuppression, such as AIDS, where the oncogenic activity of HHV-8 can drive tumor growth. The other viruses listed are linked to different diseases—EBV is associated with Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, HHV-6 with roseola, and HSV-2 with genital herpes—so HHV-8 is the specific association with Kaposi sarcoma.

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