Researchers aren't clear what the precise role of HHV-8 may be, though it appears that it may cause malfunctioning immune system cells to reproduce rapidly.

CNN: Castleman disease

Generally, people with unicentric Castleman disease aren't infected with HHV-8.

CNN: Castleman disease

Infection by a virus called the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Castleman disease, and doctors suspect that it may play a role, especially in multicentric Castleman disease.

CNN: Castleman disease