Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 infection in children born to HIV-1- infected women in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) appears to be transmitted mainly by sexual contact. However, several studies suggest that in developing countries the infection may be acquired early in life by routes other than sexual transmission. The present study estimated the seroprevalence of HHV-8 in Brazilian children born to HIV-1-infected mothers. The serum samples were collected in a cross-sectional cohort study from 99 children born to HIV-infected mothers (median age 3.27 years; range 1.5-13.8 years) attending the outpatient clinic of the Federal University of São Paulo. IgG antibodies to HHV-8 latencyassociated nuclear antigen and lytic phase antigens were detected by immunofluorescence assays. The samples tested were collected from children aged 12 months or older to exclude the possibility of crossplacental antibody transport. The total prevalence of anti-lytic antibodies in this population (5/99; 5%) reveals that HHV-8 infection can occur during childhood. Children aged 1.5 to 2 years had a seroprevalence of 2% (1/50) and children aged 3.25 to 13.8 years had a seroprevalence of 8% (4/49). This difference was not statistically significant, probably because of the small size of the sample, but it suggests that HHV-8 infection occurs more commonly late in infancy. Further prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the timing and risk factors for primary HHV-8 infection in the pediatric population.

Salivary shedding of HHV-8 in people infected or not by human immunodeficiency virus 1

“…The results of this study show that the rates of detection of HHV‐8 DNA in saliva were significantly higher in HIV‐infected individuals and their household members. The prevalence of HHV‐8 in this study is in accordance with previous studies that showed infection rates in Brazil ranging from 4.6 to 50% (6, 24, 29–32). The prevalence of HHV‐8 infection increases in HIV‐infected patients (33, 34).…”

Oral and Genital Human Herpesvirus 8 and Human Papillomavirus in heterosexual partners

“…The prevalence of HHV‐8 in this study is in accordance with previous studies that showed infection rates in Brazil ranging from 4.6% to 50% (20–27). Some studies observed that HHV‐8 is more prevalent in saliva in HIV‐infected individuals than in non‐HIV‐infected individuals (26–28).…”

High diversity of HHV‐8 molecular subtypes in the Amazon region of Brazil: Evidence of an ancient human infection

“…Although HHV-8 is also transmitted through sexual intercourse [Simpson et al, 1996], the high prevalence of antibodies among children reinforces the possibility of other routes of dissemination [Lennette et al, 1996;Biggar et al, 2000;Plancoulaine et al, 2000;Machado et al, 2005]. The high level of antibodies in Amerindians could be due possibly to vertical transmission of a virus which usually persists within the human host.…”