Risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection in a cohort of drug users in the Netherlands, 1985-1996.
To elucidate the mode of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) transmission in a population of Amsterdam drug users, HHV-8 seroprevalence and seroincidence were determined in 1179 drug users in the Amsterdam Cohort Studies (1985-1996). Risk factors for HHV-8 infection were examined. Serum samples were screened with an enzyme immunoassay by using HHV-8 lytic capsid (open-reading frame [ORF] 65) and latent nuclear (ORF73) antigens; positive results were confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Seroprevalence (men, 3.4%; women, 1.4%) and seroincidence (men, 0.08; women, 0.05/100 person-years) were low in this study. Infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), but not HHV-8, were associated with injection drug use (IDU). Independent risk factors for HHV-8 seropositivity were homosexual contacts and Mediterranean nationality for men and sexual contact with bisexual men, absence of a steady partner, and unprotected commercial sex for women. Unlike HIV-1, HBV, or HCV infection, HHV-8 infection is uncommon in Amsterdam drug users, as is HHV-8 transmission through IDU.
Renwick
Neil
N
Department of Human Retrovirology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Dukers
Nicole H T M
NH
Weverling
Gerrit Jan
GJ
Sheldon
Julie A
JA
Schulz
Thomas F
TF
Prins
Maria
M
Coutinho
Roel A
RA
Goudsmit
Jaap
J
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D015497:HIV-1; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies