title: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in healthy urban employees from Greece: seroprevalence and associated factors.
abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out in healthy company employees from Greece with the aim of assessing the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and identifying risk factors for this herpesviral infection. Serum samples obtained from 955 subjects were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 by the K8.1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between HHV-8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using t-test, chi square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. HHV-8 prevalence was 7.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0%, 9.5%) and it increased with age from 6.5% among <30 years old to 13.8% among > or =50 years old subjects (P = 0.006). HHV-8 seropositivity was independently associated with endoscopic examination (odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.70; P = 0.026), HBsAg positivity (OR: 5.16; 95% CI: 2.02, 13.20; P = 0.001) and age (OR > or =50 years old vs. <50 years old: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.52; P = 0.006). No statistically significant associations between HHV-8 positive status and gender, occupational status, surgery, transfusion, tattoos/body piercing, multiple sex partners, weakness/fatigue, HCV status were observed. HHV-8 is prevalent in Greece. The strong association between HBV infection and HHV-8 positive status supports the hypothesis of an association between these two viral infections. The association between HHV-8 seropositivity and endoscopic examination requires further investigation.
authors: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Assimina
authors: A
authors: Zavitsanou
authors: Vana
authors: V
authors: Sypsa
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Petrodaskalaki
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Kalapothaki
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Whitby
authors: Angelos
authors: A
authors: Hatzakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral