Poor CD4 T cell increases observed in some patients with good virologic response to HAART may be caused by failure of thymic T cell production.

Among men, HHV-8 transmission may occur through sexual activity, particularly sex with other men. No evidence was observed for heterosexual transmission to women.

The study provides comparable estimates of KSHV prevalence in diverse cultural settings across 4 continents and provides evidence that sexual transmission of KSHV is not a major source of infection in the general population.

The risk of acquisition of KSHV was higher among children of KSHV-seropositive mothers. Although KSHV seroprevalence was significantly higher in children and mothers who were infected with HIV, the HIV status of the mother was only marginally associated with an increased risk of KSHV seropositivity in the child.