Abstract
To determine whether human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with schistosomal and hepatitis C virus infections in Egypt, we surveyed 965 rural household participants who had been tested for HHV-8 and schistosomal infection (seroprevalence 14.2% and 68.6%, respectively, among those <15 years of age, and 24.2% and 72.8%, respectively, among those > or =15 years of age). Among adults, HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with higher age, lower education, dental treatment, tattoos, > or =10 lifetime injections, and hepatitis C virus seropositivity. In adjusted analyses, HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with dental treatment among men (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-5.2) and hepatitis C virus seropositivity among women (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4-7.9). HHV-8 association with antischistosomal antibodies was not significant for men (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.3-16.4), but marginal for women (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). Our findings suggest salivary and possible nosocomial HHV-8 transmission in rural Egypt.
Highlights
To determine whether human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with schistosomal and hepatitis C virus infections in Egypt, we surveyed 965 rural household participants who had been tested for HHV-8 and schistosomal infection
Among adult men and women combined, unadjusted analyses showed that HHV-8 seropositivity was higher among older participants (>45 years of age) compared with younger participants (15–24 years of age; odds ratios (ORs) 4.1, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 2.6–6.6); among those currently married or divorced, separated, or widowed versus never married; and among those with a history of dental treatment, >10 lifetime injections, tattoos, or hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity compared with participants without these characteristics
Previous studies of HHV-8 in Egypt [11,12] reported a seroprevalence of ≈40%, which is ≈2× the prevalence we observed. Those studies were hospital based, were conducted in urban areas, and detected anti-HHV-8 antibodies with lytic immunofluorescence assays; all of these factors may have contributed to higher prevalence estimates
Summary
To determine whether human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with schistosomal and hepatitis C virus infections in Egypt, we surveyed 965 rural household participants who had been tested for HHV-8 and schistosomal infection HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with higher age, lower education, dental treatment, tattoos, >10 lifetime injections, and hepatitis C virus seropositivity. HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with dental treatment among men (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–5.2) and hepatitis C virus seropositivity among women (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–7.9). Adult HHV-8 seropositivity is very high in eastern and central Africa (70%–90%), where KS is endemic, and lower in southern and northern Africa (10%–40%), including Egypt, where KS is more rare [4]. This variation may be due, in part, to socioeconomic or environmental factors [5] influencing HHV-8 transmission or pathogenesis. We sought to test the hypothesis that schistosomal seropositivity is associated with HHV-8 seropositivity, which would support the concept that schistosomal-induced immunosuppression modulates susceptibility to HHV-8 infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
