Seropositivity to human herpesvirus 8 in relation to sexual history and risk of sexually transmitted infections among women.
The mode of transmission of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) was investigated in two seroepidemiological studies of Swedish women who completed a questionnaire about sexual behavior. Seropositivity for HHV8 antibodies, measured using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, was linked to a high number (>10) of sexual partners (P < 0.004). It also correlated strongly with a history of other sexually transmitted diseases (STD; P < 0.0001), in particular with a history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and condyloma acuminata. There was appreciable HHV8 seropositivity already among virginal or monogamous women (9%). In summary, HHV8 transmission to women in Sweden may occur nonsexually. When sexual transmission occurs, it appears to be associated with high risk-taking sexual behavior.
Tedeschi
R
R
Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Virology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Aviano, Italy.
Caggiari
L
L
Silins
I
I
Kallings
I
I
Andersson-Ellström
A
A
De Paoli
P
P
Dillner
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden
D000914:Antibodies, Viral