Kaposi's Sarcoma and Human Herpesvirus 8 in Cuba: evidence of subtype B expansion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the temporal distribution (1991-2009) and associated variation of KSHV subtypes in Cuba.


METHODS
Phylogenetic characterization based on the KSHV K1 gene was performed using 90 KSHV positive samples.


RESULTS
Molecular characterization confirmed the prevalence of a wide range of KSHV subtypes (A: n=48 [A5=12]; C: n=15; B: n=22; and E: n=5). In the current study, we observed a significant increase in HHV-8 subtype B after 2004 (p=0.0063). This Subtype B in Cuba was associated with: heterosexual behaviour (OR: 3.63, CI: 1,2-10,98; p=0.03), with the antecedent of acquiring HIV/KSHV in Africa (p=0.0003), with nodular stage of KS lesions (OR 4.2, CI: 1.1 to 15.7; p=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study is the first to report KSHV Subtype B expansion in Cuba, that might be reflective of a change in human behavioural pattern.
Virology Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kouri, Havana City, Cuba. vkouri@ipk.sld.cu
Vivian
V
Kourí
Pedro A
PA
Martínez
Virginia
V
Capó
Orestes
O
Blanco
María E
ME
Rodríguez
Narciso
N
Jiménez
Gilberto
G
Fleites
Iraida
I
Caballero
María C
MC
Dovigny
Yoan
Y
Alemán
Consuelo
C
Correa
Lissette
L
Pérez
Yudira
Y
Soto
Lidia
L
Cardellá
Alina
A
Álvarez
Sandeep
S
Nambiar
Ulrich
U
Hengge
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
C111600:K1 protein, Human herpesvirus 8; D014764:Viral Proteins