Question abaut Real Time PCR for detection of HHV8

[danmihai]

Hi, I have one question abaut Real Time PCR for detection of HHV8.

  Is this test able to detect the presence of HHV8 in lysogenic, dormant state (when its genetical information is hidden in the nucleus of B cells)? Or it can detect the virus only in its lytic state when HHV8 is bursting out of the cell spreading and infecting more B cells? It is very important to know this because I am confronting with a case of KS in my family and I am trying to understand the result of the tests. Doctors in my country can t help me with this kind of info (lack of knowledge and interes), I sent the blood samples outside my country. My test was negative considered ( less than 350 copies/ml) and my fathers was pozitive ( 56000 copies/ml) :(
   A secondary question would be if 350 copies/ml is the minimum standard they can test for(srry if I am not translating in english very good my question).

  Thank you for your time and possible support! If I can get professional anwers from a kind doctor, I would be so happy and I ll open a thread for trying to find the best cure for classic KS for my father.
   Thank you again and srry for my bad english

[mkh9]

Hi, and thanks for your question. This is the right forum for a question like this or the HIV forum. However, I we are not a doctors. I am a microbiologist. There are some tests that seem to be in research use that can detect cellular HHV8 or the viral load down to about 10 copies. I don't know if there is a clinical laboratory that checks for that but it does exist for viral load. You might want to check with an infectious disease doctor in your area to see if they have one available.
regards,
mkh9

[danmihai]

I understand. Kaposy Sarcoma is caused by HHV8 in non AIDS patients also. This test I ask abaut is new, also the discovery of this new herpes virus, so I am having a hard time finding someone to explain me some things. Sorry for boddering you on this simplex herpes forum.
  
  

[gracefromHHP]

this forum is for herpes simplex virus. there are 8 different human herpes viruses. this only covers one particular herpes virus.  typically we just call it herpes instead of herpes simplex virus hence why the forum is called the herpes forum.

HHV8 testing is most common in folks with HIV hence my recommendation to post on that forum.

[danmihai]

HHV8 is Human Herpes Virus 8. This is  herpes forum, right?
No one said anything abaut HIV. Please do not answer if you are not a specialist and you don t understand the question.
Thank you