Kaposi’s sarcoma following immunosuppressive therapy for vasculitis

• Published in: Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation 2011-03, Vol.22 (2), p.319-323
• Main Authors: Bouattar, Tariq, Kazmouhi, Layla, al-Hamany, Zaytunah, Beqqal, Kawthar, Haffane, Layla, Husayni, Tariq Saqli, Rhou, Hakima, Bin Ammar, Loubna, Senouci, Karimah, Bayahia, Rabiah, Ouzeddoun, Nuaymah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis - drug therapy; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis - immunology; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Blood-vessels; Care and treatment; Case studies; Complications and side effects; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Cyclophosphamide - adverse effects; Diagnosis; Diseases; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation - etiology; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatal Outcome; Female; Glomerulonephritis - drug therapy; Glomerulonephritis - immunology; Herpesvirus 8, Human - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunosuppressive agents; Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Kaposi's sarcoma; Kidney Neoplasms - chemically induced; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kidney Neoplasms - virology; Middle Aged; Prednisone - administration & dosage; Prednisone - adverse effects; Pulse Therapy, Drug; Renal Dialysis; Risk factors; Sarcoma, Kaposi - chemically induced; Sarcoma, Kaposi - pathology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - virology; Time Factors; Treatment; Vasculitis; الأمراض; الأوعية الدموية; الالتهاب; التهاب الأوعية; الكلى; زرع الأعضاء; ساركوما كابوسي; علم المداواة
• ISSN: 1319-2442; 2320-3838

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is widely reported to develop after renal transplantation and is induced by activation of a latent human herpes virus 8. We report the clinical features and outcome of a 50-year-old woman who presented with KS 18 weeks after starting immunosuppressive therapy for vacuities. She had positive-titer IgG antibody to human herpes virus 8. Cyclophosphamide pulses were interrupted, and prednisone was decreased gradually to 10 mg / day. Skin lesions showed important regression with stabilization of the general state and renal function. Eight months later, the patient presented with a diffuse cutaneous KS that required the discontinuation of steroids. Within 1 month, her general status and renal function deteriorated, and she died with a disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome.