Human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence among Tobago women and the role of sexual lifestyle behavior

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is present in 22.9% of Tobago men. However, seroprevalence and modes of transmission of HHV-8 among Tobago women are not known. HHV-8 seropositivity rates in Tobago women were examined and compared rates to Tobago men of similar ages. To assess possible modes of transmission, sexual behavior among Tobago women was examined to determine its association with HHV-8 seropositivity.A cross-sectional study was conducted in 213 Tobago women, ages 18-65 years, who participated in the Tobago Cervical and Oral Cancer Screening Study. HHV-8 seropositivity was determined by a monoclonal immunofluorescence assay. Age-specific rates were compared to those previously observed in men. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between HHV-8 seropositivity and sexual behavior among the women.HHV-8 seroprevalence among Tobago women was 14.1% (95% C.I., 10 -19%), with no significant differences with men of similar age (p-value = .741). Age ≤ 17 years at first sexual intercourse was found to have a minimal significant association with HHV-8 seropositivity (O.R. = 2.51, 95% C.I. = 1.09-5.78) in women.HHV-8 age-specific rates were similar between genders. Sexual activity may not be a major contributor to HHV-8 infection among Tobago women.

Do fewer cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma in HIV-infected patients reflect a decrease in HHV8 seroprevalence?

“…Additionally, we found a slightly higher seroprevalence in men compared to women, but this trend was not statistically different; this is also in concordance with other studies [22,27].…”

Human herpesvirus 8 seroconversion in a population‐based cohort of men in Tobago

“…In this present study, Tobago men had an overall HHV‐8 seroprevalence of ~12% which is similar to a previous study conducted among Tobago women, confirming the presence of HHV‐8 infection in Tobago's general population [McDonald et al, ]. Low HHV‐8 seroconversion was found among Tobago men, aged 40–81 years, which suggests that HHV‐8 was probably acquired at an earlier age, <40 years.…”

“…Consistent with Tobago women and other populations [Cattani et al, ; Cunha et al, ; McDonald et al, ; Butler et al, ], a strong relationship between HHV‐8 seropositivity and older age was found among this male population in Tobago. Cross‐sectional studies have shown HHV‐8 seropositivity increases with age, even in populations over the age of >40 years [Cattani et al, ; Cunha et al, ; McDonald et al, ; Butler et al, ]. In this present study, there was a higher percentage of Tobago men, aged 70–81 years, who were positive for HHV‐8 (~37%) compared to men, aged 40–49 years (4%).…”

“…In Tobago, HHV‐8 seropositivity has been reported to range from 14.1% in women, aged 18–65 years, who participated in a population‐based cervical and oral screening study [McDonald et al, ], to as high as 22.9% and 39.9% in men, aged ≥40 years, without and with prostate cancer, respectively, who participated in the Tobago Prostate Survey [Hoffman et al, ; McDonald et al, ]. However, HHV‐8 seropositivity rates over time have not been examined in Tobago.…”

Human herpesvirus 8 establishes a latent infection in prostates of Tobago men resulting in increased macrophage infiltration

“…Since the majority of the HHV‐8‐antigen expressing seronegative subjects expressed both viral proteins, we believe them to be HHV‐8 positive by antigen expression, but with low, non‐detectable antibody titers. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that individuals can sero‐revert presumably due to HHV‐8 antibody titers falling below the sensitivity of the serological assay.…”