Detection of serum antibodies to three different recombinant antigens of human herpesvirus 8 by immunoblotting: seroprevalence studies in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a gamma-herpesvirus, is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). A variety of assays for the diagnosis HHV-8 infection have been developed. However, the accuracy of current HHV-8 antibody testing is uncertain, mainly in patients with asymptomatic HHV-8 infection.


METHODS
We utilized a new immunoblot assay, comprised of three recombinant HHV-8 encoded proteins (ORF16, ORF57, and ORF71) to determine the seroprevalence of HHV-8 in Taiwan. ORF16 encodes a Bcl-2 homologue and is expressed only in the lytic cycle. ORF57 is an immediate-early gene product and can activate gene expression by a post-transcriptional mechanism. ORF71 encodes a viral FLICE inhibitory protein and is a latently expressed protein. We collected 6 KS(+)/HIV(-) patients, 10 KS(-)/HIV(+) individuals, 174 blood donors, and 62 non-KS cancer patients in this study.


RESULTS
Among the different populations, ORF57 showed highest reactivities. The frequency of positive results for KS(+)/HIV(-), KS(-)/HIV(+), blood donors, and non-KS cancer patients were 83.3%, 40%, 23%, and 12.9%, respectively. Compared to the widely used lytic immunofluorescence assay, our immunoblotting assay using ORF57 showed higher reactivities among the blood donors.


CONCLUSIONS
ORF57 is useful for the detection of HHV-8 infection, especially during the asymptomatic infections.
Wang
Yi-Fen
YF
Department of Medical Technology, Fooyin Institute of Technology, 151 Chin-Hsuen Road, Ta-Liao, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan, ROC. yfwang@mail.fy.edu.tw
Lee
Sung-Bau
SB
Cheng
Luca C-W
LC
Tai
Ming-Hong
MH
Su
Ih-Jen
IJ
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001782:Blood Donors; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins