Kaposi's Sarcoma in HIV: Current Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Aspects

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.51572142603072

• Palavras-chave: Kaposi's sarcoma; HIV; AIDS; HHV-8; antiretroviral therapy.

• Keywords: Kaposi's sarcoma; HIV; AIDS; HHV-8; antiretroviral therapy.

• Abstract:

  Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal vascular neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) infection, often linked to immunosuppression caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite the advances brought about by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), KS remains an important defining manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), especially in patients with late diagnosis or poor treatment adherence. The aim of this study is to review the main pathophysiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of Kaposi’s sarcoma in individuals living with HIV. This is a narrative literature review based on scientific articles published between 2013 and 2025 in the PubMed, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The search terms “Kaposi Sarcoma,” “HIV,” “AIDS,” “HHV-8,” and “antiretroviral therapy” were used. The studies demonstrate that KS presents with cutaneous, mucosal, and visceral manifestations and can progress aggressively in immunosuppressed patients. Diagnosis is clinical and histopathological, and treatment primarily involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), combined in some cases with systemic chemotherapy. It is concluded that early recognition of Kaposi’s sarcoma in patients living with HIV is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality, and that expanding early diagnosis and adherence to antiretroviral therapy is imperative.