Risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity in the AIDS Cancer Cohort Study.
BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking has been associated with a decreased risk for AIDS-related and classical KS, but whether it is associated with decreased risk of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is unknown.


METHODS
We evaluated factors associated with HHV-8 seropositivity in 2795 participants (132 with KS) in the National Cancer Institute AIDS Cancer Cohort, including 1621 men who have sex with men (MSM), 660 heterosexual men and 514 women. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Among non-KS subjects, HHV-8 seropositivity was 6%, 13% and 29% among women, heterosexual men and MSM, respectively. HHV-8 seropositivity was decreased in heavier (> or =1/2 pack/day) compared to lighter smokers among women (5% versus 8%; adjusted OR (aOR) 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.8) and MSM (27% versus 32%; aOR 0.7; 95% CI 0.6-1.0), but not among heterosexual men (12% versus 16%; aOR 0.7; 95% CI 0.4-1.2). HHV-8 seroprevalence was increased in heavier (> or =1 drink/day) compared to lighter consumers of alcohol among women (16% versus 4%; adjusted OR 5.2; 95% CI 2.3-12), but not among MSM (33% versus 28%; aOR 1.2; 95% CI 0.9-1.6) or heterosexual men (13% versus 13%; aOR 1.1; 95% CI 0.6-2.0). In analyses adjusted for smoking and drinking, HHV-8 seropositivity was positively associated with chlamydia infection (OR=4.3; 95% CI 1.2-13) and with marital status among women p(heterogeneity)=0.03, and with hepatitis (OR=1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1), gonorrhea (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.1-1.9), genital warts (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.0) and nitrate inhalant use (OR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.3) among MSM.


CONCLUSIONS
Inverse association of HHV-8 seropositivity with cigarette smoking may indicate protective effect of tobacco smoke on HHV-8 infection, whereas positive associations with alcohol may reflect either behavioral factors or biological effects modulating susceptibility. Smoking and drinking may influence KS risk, at least in part, by altering the natural history of HHV-8 infection.
Mbulaiteye
Sam M
SM
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH/DHHS, 6120 Executive Blvd, Executive Plaza South Rm. 8006, Mail Stop Center 7248, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. mbulaits@mail.nih.gov
Atkinson
Jonnae O
JO
Whitby
Denise
D
Wohl
David A
DA
Gallant
Joel E
JE
Royal
Scott
S
Goedert
James J
JJ
Rabkin
Charles S
CS
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D012907:Smoking
D000914:Antibodies, Viral