Seroprevalence of human herpes virus 8 in different Eritrean population groups.

BACKGROUND

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. In the US and Europe, HHV-8 is believed to be mainly sexually transmitted, but reports from some African countries suggest non-sexual transmission.

OBJECTIVES

To find out more about HHV-8 seroprevalence and transmission in Eastern Africa.

STUDY

DESIGN

In this study, 411 serum samples from different population groups in Eritrea (children, pregnant women, female sex workers and members of the isolated Rashaida tribe) were examined for HHV-8 antibodies with an immunofluorescence assay detecting antibodies to latent and lytic HHV-8 antigens.

RESULTS

Antibodies to HHV-8 latent antigen were found in 0-2% of Eritrean children, 5% of pregnant women, 8% of female sex workers and 26% of Rashaidas, respectively. No correlation was found between detectable HHV-8 antibodies and seropositivity to HIV or herpes simplex 2.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that HHV-8 infection is relatively common in Eritrea and that viral transmission occurs predominantly through non-sexual route in this region.