Factors associated with human herpesvirus type 8 infection in an injecting drug user cohort.
BACKGROUND
Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) has been infrequently studied in injecting drug user (IDU) populations.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the seroprevalence of HHV-8 and risk factors for infection in a cohort of 2,946 IDUs.


METHODS
In this nested cross-sectional study of 390 IDUs, lytic HHV-8 indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was utilized to estimate the HHV-8 seroprevalence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for infection.


RESULTS
The HHV-8 seroprevalence among the IDUs examined in 1988 was 11.5% (95% confidence interval, 8.5-15.13). HHV-8 seroprevalence in this population was associated with being female (OR = 2.2; = 0.080), having a larger body mass index (OR = 3.0; = 0.053), and history of genital warts (OR = 4.0; = 0.023). Injection of any drug more than daily exhibited an inverse effect on HHV-8 seropositivity (OR = 0.5; = 0.085).


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of HHV-8 in this population is similar to that seen in the general population, with risk factors being more consistent with sexual behaviors than injection drug use.
Bernstein
Kyle T
KT
Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Jacobson
Lisa P
LP
Jenkins
Frank J
FJ
Vlahov
David
D
Armenian
Haroutune K
HK
D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous