Comparison of the prevalence of antibodies to human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) in Brazil and Colorado.
The prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; Kaposi's sarcoma [KS] herpesvirus) infection was determined by IFA in 297 persons living in Brazil and Colorado. The prevalence of antibody to HHV-8 in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-seropositive gay men with and without KS was similar in Brazil and Colorado. In Brazil, the prevalence of HHV-8 antibody was significantly greater in HIV-1-seronegative gay men than in HIV-1-seronegative male intravenous drug users. HHV-8-seropositive Brazilian gay men who had a clinical diagnosis of KS or who were infected with HIV-1 had significantly higher titers of HHV-8 antibody than did HHV-8-seropositive, HIV-1-seronegative Brazilian gay men. These findings provide further support for the association between HHV-8 infection and KS and suggest that, as in the United States, HHV-8 infection is transmitted sexually in Brazil.
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
X q
Xq
Zhang
L
L
Fitzpatrick
T B
TB
Campbell
R
R
Badaro
M
M
Schechter
M d
Md
Melo
C
C
Brites
D
D
Pedral-Sampaio
R T
RT
Schooley
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral