Transmission of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus between mothers and children in a South African population.
BACKGROUND
To assess whether Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) with or without HIV coinfection in South African mothers is associated with higher KSHV seropositivity in their children.


METHODS
We tested sera from 1287 South African children and 1179 mothers using assays for KSHV lytic K8.1 and latent ORF73 antigens. We computed odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess associations between KSHV serostatus and risk factors.


RESULTS
KSHV seroprevalence was 15.9% (204 of 1287 subjects) in children and 29.7% (350 of 1179 subjects) in mothers. The risk of KSHV seropositivity was significantly higher in children of KSHV-seropositive mothers compared with those of KSHV-seronegative mothers. The HIV status of mothers was marginally associated with an increased risk of KSHV seropositivity in their children (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.6; P = 0.07). KSHV seroprevalence was significantly higher in HIV-infected subjects (P = 0.0005), and HIV-infected subjects had significantly higher lytic and latent KSHV antibody levels than HIV-negative subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of acquisition of KSHV was higher among children of KSHV-seropositive mothers. Although KSHV seroprevalence was significantly higher in children and mothers who were infected with HIV, the HIV status of the mother was only marginally associated with an increased risk of KSHV seropositivity in the child.
Malope
Babatyi I
BI
Cancer Epidemiology Research Group, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pfeiffer
Ruth M
RM
Mbisa
Georgina
G
Stein
Lara
L
Ratshikhopha
Edith M
EM
O'Connell
Dianne L
DL
Sitas
Freddy
F
MacPhail
Patrick
P
Whitby
Denise
D
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000097:blood
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006023:Glycoproteins; C113454:K8.1 protein, Human herpesvirus 8; D014764:Viral Proteins