title: Correlates of human herpesvirus-8 seropositivity among U.S. military members recently infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma, is common among HIV-infected persons. The exact route of transmission of HHV-8 in various populations is still debated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to define the correlates of HHV-8 infection among men recently infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred forty-two HIV-infected U.S. military men were evaluated using a questionnaire regarding potential risk factors and laboratory data, including HHV-8, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C serologies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 32%. HHV-8 was significantly associated with hepatitis B seropositivity (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-4.1), and black ethnicity was negatively associated with HHV-8 (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9) in the multivariate analysis. HHV-8 was not associated with drug use or hepatitis C seropositivity. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), HHV-8 infection correlated with hepatitis B seropositivity (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3) and HSV-2 (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.9). Among heterosexuals, the correlates of HHV-8 were different; blacks as compared with whites (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8) and married versus single status (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9) were associated with a lower rate of HHV-8 infection. Among heterosexuals, hepatitis B, HSV-2, and sexual behaviors were not associated with HHV-8.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the seroprevalence of HHV-8 is increased in both MSM and heterosexual men with HIV infection, and that the route(s) of HHV-8 acquisition might be different between MSM and heterosexuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California 92134-1005, USA. nfcrum@nmcsd.med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Crum
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Blazes
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.forename: Sybil A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tasker
authors.forename: Anne G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.forename: Corey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casper
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.forename: Stephanie K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Brodine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology