Human herpesvirus 8 infection and Kaposi's sarcoma among human immunodeficiency virus-infected and -uninfected women

J Infect Dis. 2001 Apr 1;183(7):1130-4. doi: 10.1086/319270. Epub 2001 Mar 8.

Abstract

Little is known about the epidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infections among women. A cross-sectional study was conducted of HHV-8 infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and high-risk HIV-uninfected women. Serological tests with noninduced (latent) and induced (lytic) HHV-8 antigens were used to detect infection among 2483 participants of a multisite cohort. Reactivity to latent antigen was present in 4.1% and to induced antigens in 12.0% of women. Seven of 8 women who reported Kaposi's sarcoma had HHV-8 antibodies. Among HIV-positive women, HHV-8 infection was associated with use of crack, cocaine, or heroin (76% vs. 65%; P<.001), past syphilis (29% vs. 20%; P<.001), an injection drug-using male sex partner (61% vs. 53%; P=.014), black race (P=.010), and enrollment site (P=.015). In multivariate analysis, HIV infection, older age, past syphilis, black race, and enrollment site were independently associated with HHV-8 infection. In this cohort of North American women, HHV-8 infection was associated with HIV infection, drug use, and risky sexual behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • California / epidemiology
  • Cocaine
  • Cohort Studies
  • Crack Cocaine
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • District of Columbia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications*
  • Heroin
  • Herpesviridae Infections / complications*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous
  • Syphilis / complications

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Crack Cocaine
  • Heroin
  • Cocaine