Human herpesvirus 8 infection in hemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to evaluate human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence in Greek hemodialysis patients. Patterns of change in HHV-8 serostatus (seroconversions and seroreversions) over time were also evaluated.


METHODS
Serum samples obtained from a cohort of 485 Greek hemodialysis patients were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 by whole virus lysate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reactive samples were confirmed by means of the orf-73 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HHV-8 seroprevalence at study entry and the incidence of seroreversions and seroconversions per 100 person-years were estimated.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HHV-8 antibodies in Greek hemodialysis patients at enrollment was 7.2%. No univariate associations were established between HHV-8 serostatus and patients' characteristics. Incidences of seroreversions and seroconversions were 16.4/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 7.1 to 32.3) and 0.28/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 1.02), respectively. Patients 50 years and younger had an increased probability for seroreversion to HHV-8 antibodies than patients older than 50 years (log-rank test, P = 0.018).


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a fair number of seroreversions and a low incidence of seroconversion to HHV-8 infection in hemodialysis patients in Greece. Our data provide indirect evidence that HHV-8 transmission in the hemodialysis setting is uncommon.
Zavitsanou
Assimina
A
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Sypsa
Vana
V
Petrodaskalaki
Maria
M
Psichogiou
Mina
M
Katsoulidou
Antigoni
A
Boletis
John
J
Hadjiconstantinou
Valsamakis
V
Karalis
Dimitris
D
Kalapothaki
Victoria
V
Hatzakis
Angelos
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000453:epidemiology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000453:epidemiology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G