Human herpesvirus 8 infection in HIV-1-infected and uninfected pregnant women in Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Human Herpes Virus (HHV-8) is related to Kaposi Saracoma, an opportunistic infection occurring with HIV infection. Little is known about the seroepidemiology of Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection among Ethiopian women, even though women are a major HIV risk group in Ethiopia.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection in HIV-1-infected and uninfected pregnant women in five selected regions of Ethiopia.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2006 to June 2007 where pregnant women were recruited after age-matching in groups. A total of 400 pregnant women were enrolled, with 200 being HIV-infected and 200 being HIV-uninfected Sera were screened for IgG lytic antibody to HHV-8 using an Indirect Fluorescence Assay (IFA) in Virology Unit of Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNR1).


RESULTS
Of 400 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) testing sites of five regions in Ethiopia, 212 (53.0%) were positive for HHV-8 IgG lytic antibody. There was a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection among HIV-1-infected pregnant women (138, 69.0%) as compared with HIV-1-uninfected pregnant women (74, 37.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection among HIV-1-infected pregnant women as compared with HIV-1-uninfected pregnant women. Therefore, creating awareness and educating women on safe sexual practice and avoiding deep kissing may be a fundamental ways to limit the roots of transmission. Moreover, initiating strong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infected women would be best treatment prior to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS).
Lemma
Eshetu
E
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Constantine
Niel T
NT
Kassa
Desta
D
Messele
Tsehaynesh
T
Mindaye
Tedla
T
Taye
Girum
G
Abebe
Almaz
A
Tamene
Wegene
W
Tebje
Mekashaw
M
Gebremeskel
Wudneh
W
Adane
Asfaw
A
Gezahegn
Nigussie
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology