Correlates of human herpesvirus-8 seropositivity among U.S. military members recently infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
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.
Crum
Nancy F
NF
Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California 92134-1005, USA. nfcrum@nmcsd.med.navy.mil
Wallace
Mark R
MR
Stephan
Kevin
K
Blazes
David L
DL
Aronson
Naomi
N
Tasker
Sybil A
SA
Thomas
Anne G
AG
Wegner
Scott
S
Casper
Corey
C
Wald
Anna
A
Corey
Lawrence
L
Brodine
Stephanie K
SK
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