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Reduced seroprevalence of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), related to suppression of Anopheles density in Italy
Author(s) -
Coluzzi M.,
Calabrò M. L.,
Manno D.,
ChiecoBianchi L.,
Schulz T. F.,
Ascoli V.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2003.00465.x
Subject(s) - biology , seroprevalence , vector (molecular biology) , virology , ceratopogonidae , malaria , immunology , antibody , zoology , serology , genetics , gene , recombinant dna
. In two formerly malarious parts of Italy, age‐related seroprevalence rates of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus [human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8)] were determined from local blood donors and correlated with periods of vector control during anti‐malaria campaigns. In Veneto, decreased KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence in the 1951–1955 birth cohort coincides with the peak of DDT house‐spraying. In Sardinia, where larviciding augmented indoor DDT‐spraying, a significant drop of KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence between 1945 and 1950 and 1951–1955 birth cohorts ( P = 0.0046) coincides with suppression of the malaria vector Anopheles labranchiae Falleroni (Diptera: Culicidae). These results are consistent with age‐related association between KSHV/HHV8 seroprevalence rates in native/resident populations and the density of malaria vectors in Veneto and Sardinia. This example supports our ‘promoter arthropod’ hypothesis on the role of haematophagous insects [putatively blackflies (Simuliidae), sandflies (Phlebotominae) and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), as well as mosquitoes] when their bites induce hypersensitivity and immunosuppression, potentiate KSHV/HHV8 transmission via human saliva (when insect bite lesions are licked by another person whose saliva carries the virus) and may facilitate Kaposi's sarcoma.