High human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence in the homosexual population in Switzerland.
The seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in the Swiss population was investigated. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sera reactive to the recombinant HHV-8 antigen orf 65.2 were found in 24% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients without and in 92% of HIV-positive patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. Surprisingly, 20% of homosexual HIV-negative men, versus only 7% of heterosexual HIV-negative individuals and 5% of blood donors, had antibodies to HHV-8.
Regamey
N
N
Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Cathomas
G
G
Schwager
M
M
Wernli
M
M
Harr
T
T
Erb
P
P
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral