A 38-year-old HIV-positive man (CD4 count 90 cells/μL) develops painless violaceous plaques on the palate and lower limbs. Biopsy shows spindle cell proliferation with slit-like vascular spaces and extravasated red blood cells. Which virus is causally associated with this lesion?
- A Epstein-Barr virus
- B Human herpesvirus 8 ✓
- C Human papillomavirus type 16
- D Molluscum contagiosum virus
Correct answer: B. Human herpesvirus 8
Explanation
The histology and distribution describe Kaposi sarcoma, caused by human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus), whose incidence rises sharply once CD4 counts fall below 200 cells/μL. EBV is linked to lymphomas such as Burkitt and CNS lymphoma, HPV 16 to cervical and anal carcinoma, and molluscum virus to umbilicated papules rather than vascular tumours. Matching oncogenic viruses to their AIDS-defining malignancies is a standard examination point.
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.