title: Human herpes virus type 8 seroprevalence in pregnant women in Geneva, Switzerland.
abstract: Because of increasing migration, European countries are facing new pathogens and diseases, such as human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8). We assessed the prevalence of HHV-8 using a new ELISA test in 140 pregnant women delivering in Geneva (Switzerland). The prevalence of HHV-8 was 7.9% globally and up to 33.3% in the African subpopulation. Seropositive women were more frequently older (≥32 years old) than seronegative ones: 81.8% vs. 43%; p = 0.023, respectively. In conclusion, HHV-8 infection is present in European pregnant women. Attention should be given to the emergence of infectious diseases, such as HHV-8, and their impact on health in nonendemic countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. begona.mdt@bluewin.ch
authors.forename: B Martinez
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: de Tejada
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cantero
authors.forename: Klara M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Posfay-Barbe
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irion
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hirschel
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boffi El Amari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral