Serologic evidence of human herpesvirus 8 transmission by homosexual but not heterosexual sex.
Epidemiologic studies link Kaposi's sarcoma with a sexually transmitted agent. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is likely to be that agent, but routes of transmission are poorly described. A seroepidemiologic study was conducted to determine whether HHV-8 is transmitted sexually between heterosexuals. Sera from 2718 patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Information on sex partners in the previous 12 months and past STDs were obtained by questionnaire. Relationships between possible risk factors and HHV-8 infection were assessed by logistic regression. Overall, seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 7.3%. Independent risk factors for HHV-8 in the whole group were homo/bisexuality and birth in Africa and, among homo/bisexual men, a history of syphilis and HSV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity. Among heterosexuals there was no evidence for sexual transmission; the only independent risk factor for HHV-8 seropositivity was birth in Africa.
Smith
N A
NA
HIV/GUM, Chelsea and Westminster National Health Service Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Sabin
C A
CA
Gopal
R
R
Bourboulia
D
D
Labbet
W
W
Boshoff
C
C
Barlow
D
D
Band
B
B
Peters
B S
BS
de Ruiter
A
A
Brown
D W
DW
Weiss
R A
RA
Best
J M
JM
Whitby
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001727:Bisexuality; D044383:Black People; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D044465:White People