Reduced seroprevalence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), related to suppression of Anopheles density in Italy.
In two formerly malarious parts of Italy, age-related seroprevalence rates of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus [human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8)] were determined from local blood donors and correlated with periods of vector control during anti-malaria campaigns. In Veneto, decreased KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence in the 1951-1955 birth cohort coincides with the peak of DDT house-spraying. In Sardinia, where larviciding augmented indoor DDT-spraying, a significant drop of KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence between 1945 and 1950 and 1951-1955 birth cohorts (P = 0.0046) coincides with suppression of the malaria vector Anopheles labranchiae Falleroni (Diptera: Culicidae). These results are consistent with age-related association between KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence rates in native/resident populations and the density of malaria vectors in Veneto and Sardinia. This example supports our 'promoter arthropod' hypothesis on the role of haematophagous insects [putatively blackflies (Simuliidae), sandflies (Phlebotominae) and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), as well as mosquitoes] when their bites induce hypersensitivity and immunosuppression, potentiate KSHV/HHV8 transmission via human saliva (when insect bite lesions are licked by another person whose saliva carries the virus) and may facilitate Kaposi's sarcoma.
Coluzzi
M
M
Dipartimento di Scienze di Sanità Pubblica, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Calabrò
M L
ML
Manno
D
D
Chieco-Bianchi
L
L
Schulz
T F
TF
Ascoli
V
V
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D007558:Italy; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D009032:Mosquito Control; D011156:Population Density; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral