Prevalence and risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection in northern Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
The modes of transmission of HHV-8 are still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the distribution and transmission of HHV-8 infection.


METHODS
Serosurvey conducted in a Cameroon hospital among 292 persons, including children (5-10 years), adolescents (15-20 years), and adults (30-40 years). Antibodies against lytic and latent antigens to HHV-8 were detected by immunofluorescence assay; antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus viral antigens were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HHV-8 antilytic antibodies remained stable and was 39.8% among children, 51.5% among adolescents, and 61.8% among adults. Epstein-Barr virus seroprevalence was high among children, and remained stable among adolescents and adults. A history of sexually transmitted diseases was an independent determinant of HHV-8 infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.47; 95% CI 1.09-4.91).


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of HHV-8 infection among children indicates nonsexual modes of transmission in Cameroon, with sexual transmission occurring among adolescents and adults.
Rezza
G
G
Laboratory of Epidemiology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. g.rezza@iss.it
Tchangmena
O B
OB
Andreoni
M
M
Bugarini
R
R
Toma
L
L
Bakary
D K
DK
Glikoutou
M
M
Sarmati
L
L
Monini
P
P
Pezzotti
P
P
Ensoli
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral