High prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus type 2 among homosexual men is caused by sexual transmission.
To investigate whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) type 2 infection is highly prevalent among homosexual men, the prevalence of EBV type 2 was studied among homosexual and heterosexual white men who were at high and low risk for sexually transmitted diseases; these data were correlated with sexual behavior. The prevalence of EBV type 2 among homosexual men was significantly higher than it was among heterosexual men (39% vs. 6%). Among high-risk heterosexual men, prevalence was significantly higher than it was among low-risk heterosexual men (15% vs. 0). In univariate analyses, EBV type 2 infection in homosexual men was significantly associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity, increased numbers of intercourse partners, non-Dutch nationality, and human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity. In multivariate analyses, an independent association with EBV type 2 was observed only for HIV seropositivity and number of sex partners. These data support the conclusion that EBV type 2 infection is more prevalent among white homosexual men and is caused by sexual transmission.
van Baarle
D
D
Dept. of Clinical Viro-Immunology, CLB, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d_van_baarle@clb.nl
Hovenkamp
E
E
Dukers
N H
NH
Renwick
N
N
Kersten
M J
MJ
Goudsmit
J
J
Coutinho
R A
RA
Miedema
F
F
van Oers
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior