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High seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) in HIV‐1‐infected pregnant women of Southeastern Italy: Association with injection drug use and hepatitis C virus infection
Author(s) -
Fiore Josè Ramòn,
Volpe Anna,
Tosatti Maria Alessandra,
Valentin Lucia De,
Favia Anna,
Chironna Maria,
Lisco Andrea,
Vimercati Antonella,
Angarano Gioacchino,
ChiecoBianchi Luigi,
Calabrò Maria Luisa
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.20042
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , serology , virology , medicine , antibody , hepatitis c virus , virus , antigen , immunology , transmission (telecommunications) , electrical engineering , engineering
The seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) in a group of HIV‐1‐infected pregnant women and in mother–child pairs from Southeastern Italy (Apulia) was determined. Blood was collected from 49 HIV‐1‐infected women during pregnancy or at delivery as well as from their children. Samples were analysed for the presence of antibodies to the latency‐associated nuclear antigen and a structural antigen encoded by open reading frame 65. The presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) was also determined. Nineteen women (38.7%) were found to be positive for HHV‐8 antibodies to at least one of the two antigens, and 21 (42.9%) for HCV antibodies. HHV‐8 antibodies were more common in injecting drug users (56.3%) than in women infected through heterosexual intercourse (30.3%). HCV antibodies were significantly more prevalent in HHV‐8‐seropositive (66.7%) than HHV‐ 8‐seronegative (29%) women. Thirteen children born to HIV‐1/HHV‐8 co‐infected women were HHV‐8‐seroreactive, with a variable pattern of reactivity to the analysed antigens. Follow‐up of children showed a prolonged persistence of antibodies, in two cases for more than 12 months. This study has provided serological evidence for a high rate of HHV‐8 infection in HIV‐1‐infected women in the Apulia region, and has identified a possible association between HHV‐8 infection, past use of injection drugs and HCV infection. Parenteral transmission may, therefore, be a mode of virus spread. J. Med. Virol. 72:656–660, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.