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Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension and KSHV

10/31/2006

Question:

Dear Doctor I thank you for answering my email. My question is I have read some articles online that have suggested hhv-8 (kshv) and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension are related. But some others studies say that they have found no such evidence. I am concerned because my family is from the southern tip of Italy a hotspot for HHV-8. I understand hhv-8 infects men more than women and is asyptomatic but is a similar to the EBV virus and is usually only a problem with severe immune damage. But women contract ph more than men. So I am confuse and worried here. Is it established to some in the medical field that these two are linked and what is your opinion on this? Thanks Doug

Answer:

Doug,

There was a study that suggested this link but that has not been proven by other investigators. We still do not understand what causes pulmonary hypertension.

For more information:

Go to the Pulmonary Hypertension health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Namita Sood, MD, FCCP Namita Sood, MD, FCCP
Associate Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University