A 30-year-old man with untreated HIV (CD4 count 120 cells/μL) has violaceous plaques and nodules on the palate and lower limbs. Biopsy shows spindle cells forming slit-like vascular spaces with extravasated red blood cells. Which virus is causally associated with this malignancy?
- A Epstein-Barr virus
- B Human herpesvirus 8 ✓
- C Human papillomavirus type 16
- D Molluscum contagiosum virus
Correct answer: B. Human herpesvirus 8
Explanation
Kaposi sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus), which infects endothelial cells and drives spindle cell proliferation through viral IL-6 and other cytokines. Epstein-Barr virus is linked to lymphomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, HPV 16 to cervical and anal carcinoma, and molluscum virus to dome-shaped umbilicated papules, not vascular tumours. Immune restoration with ART is itself part of treatment.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.