Geographical differences in human herpesvirus 8 seroepidemiology: A survey of 1,201 individuals in Asia

Abstract

Since the discovery of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) as a contributory cause of Kaposis sarcoma, the clinical role of this virus has been actively investigated. An understanding of HHV8 seroepidemiology is critical for the study of its pathogenesis within a specific environment. A sero-survey is described in Taiwan of 1,201 individuals ranging in age from under 1 year to over 70. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to determine antibody titers against both latent and lytic antigens of HHV8. The results indicate that very few individuals (3-4%) were exposed to HHV8 before 10 years of age. Infection rate peaked (19.2%) between the ages of 21 to 40. Females showed a slightly higher seroprevalence for HHV8 than males, but the difference was not statistically significant. Pregnancy did not correlate with increased HHV8 infection rate nor with augmented HHV8 antibody titers. It is concluded that HHV8 in Taiwan is predominantly an infectious agent for adults. In this geographical locale, HHV8 is similar to herpes simplex virus type 2 in its likely transmission occurring presumptively through sexual routes. However, the study also indicates that a smaller portion of HHV8-transmission could occur through nonsexual contacts.

Human Herpesvirus 8-Related Childhood Mononucleosis

“…Although an HHV8 serosurvey of 1201 Taiwan Chinese individuals (Ͻ1 to Ͼ70 years old) found that very few (3-4%) were exposed before the age of 10 years, 16 we determined that 7.6% (56 of 737) of healthy school children of the Hualien area (which has the highest incidence of adult Kaposi sarcoma in Taiwan 12 ) were HHV8-seropositive (unpublished data), suggesting a significant level of viral exposure in these children. This level is higher than that in United States and United Kingdom (ϳ1.0 -3.0% of children) but much lower than that in Africa (up to 50% of children).…”

Recombinant ORF66 and ORFK12 antigens for the detection of human herpesvirus 8 antibodies in HIV-positive and -negative patients

“…Moreover, chronic hemodialysis could be another reason for the high HHV-8 (Lee et al 2004). Previous reports have indicated that the prevalence of HHV-8 antibodies in hemodialysis patients is 19.5% in Taiwan (Wang et al 2002;Huang et al 2000) and22.9% in Brazil (Caterino-de-Araujo et al 2007). …”

“…We also demonstrated that the HHV-8 seropositivity in the HIV-infected patients (55.1%) was significantly higher than in patients with diabetes mellitus (44.9%) and healthy persons (11.0%). Previous reports of the prevalence of HHV-8-specific antibodies have shown that HHV-8 seropositivity varies greatly depending on the study population in Taiwan (Wang et al 2002;Huang et al 2000), for example, 83.3% in KS(? )/HIV(-) patients, 40% in KS(-)/HIV(?)…”

HHV-8 Seroprävalenz in ausgewählten (Risiko)-Kollektiven im Raum Frankfurt am Main/HHV-8 Seroprevalence in Selected (Risk)-Groups in the Area of Frankfurt am Main

“…In Italien kann man die Zunahme beider Pra Èvalenzen im Su Èden, besonders in Sizilien, beobachten [14]. Fu Èr die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika gibt es sehr unter- [10,11,18,23]. U È ber deutlich ho Èhere Seropra Èvalenzen wird auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent berichtet.…”

“…Gro Èûtenteils handelte es sich um sehr junge Patienten (in unserem Kollektiv im Median: 8 Jahre), die somit nur ein geringeres Risiko fu Èr eine Infektion hatten [23].…”