Prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 and hepatitis C virus in a rural community with a high risk for blood-borne infections in central China

Abstract

Former illegal blood donation in the past decade has caused HIV outbreaks in some rural areas in China. Other HIV associated virus infections, such as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) in such areas are still not well defined. In order to explore HHV8 and HCV seroprevalence and potential risk factors in such areas, a cross-sectional study with 305 HIV positive and 315 HIV negative subjects recruited from a rural county in Shanxi province was conducted, where illegal blood collection was reported. Interview questionnaires and serum testing were carried out with these participants. HCV and HHV8 seroprevalence were found to be higher in HIV positive than negative group (76.4% vs. 2.5%; 15.4% vs. 4.8% respectively), while the difference in HBV seroprevalence was not significant. Co-infection with HCV and HHV8 was also more prevalent in the HIV positive group. HIV status (odds ratio [OR], 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–6.30) and HBV status (OR, 2.56; 95%CI: 1.14–5.75) were independently associated with HHV8 infection. HIV status (OR, 23.03; 95%CI: 9.95–53.27) and blood/plasma selling history (OR, 14.57; 95%CI: 7.49–28.23) were strongly associated with HCV infection. These findings demonstrate that both HHV8 and HCV infections are prevalent in this community. HIV infection is an important risk factor for both HHV8 and HCV infection. HBV infection is associated with HHV8 infection but not with HCV infection. It is possible that HHV8 and HBV, but not HCV, may have similar mode of transmission in this population.

Social behavioral correlates of Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus infection among Han and Uygur populations in Xinjiang, China

“…Consistent with a previous report, the ethnic disparities in KSHV infection in Xinjiang was detected in our study as well. Han people were less likely to be infected by KSHV, though the prevalence of KSHV in Xinjiang Han Chinese was significantly higher than their counterparts in other provinces . We speculate the ethnic disparity in KSHV infection might not only ascribe to the disparate genetic background, but the different culture background and religious belief, and the resulting distinct behaviors, such as diet and sexual contact.…”

“…In most provinces of China, the seroprevalence of KSHV is less than 11% in the general population . However, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, located in northwestern China and diverse in ethnicity, has a significantly higher incidence of KS and a higher seroprevalence of KSHV .…”

Herpes viruses and HIV-1 drug resistance mutations influence the virologic and immunologic milieu of the male genital tract

“…Seminal shedding of HHV-8 has been reported more frequently in MSM [40–42], but a limitation is that we did not evaluate oral shedding [43– 46], and this should be pursued given these results. With the historical connections between Kaposi sarcoma and the male-to-male sex for HIV-1 and HHV-8 infections, the associations between HIV-1 and HHV-8 genital tract shedding should be explored further, and might be especially important among African populations where HHV-8 and Kaposi sarcoma prevalence is higher [47– 49]. …”

Antibody responses to lytic and latent human herpesvirus 8 antigens among HIV-infected patients in central China

“…As previously described (17), study participants were patients confirmed to be infected with HIV who had been registered with the National HIV/AIDS Information System and who were participating in an ongoing HIV cohort study that was established in 2006 in the City of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province in Central China. This site is where the HIV epidemic was first reported in 1996 and HIV was predominantly transmitted through plasma/blood donation or transfusion.…”

“…Therefore, the current study specifically examined antibody seropositivities to lytic and latent HHV8 antigens among a sample of previously reported patients infected with HIV (17). Knowledge gained from this study should help to better understand host immune responses to HHV8 infection in the context of HIV infection and viral coinfections.…”