Comparison of human herpesvirus 8 and Epstein-Barr virus seropositivity among children in areas endemic and non-endemic for Kaposi's sarcoma

• Published in: Journal of medical virology 2004-01, Vol.72 (1), p.126-131
• Main Authors: Martro, E., Bulterys, M., Stewart, J.A., Spira, T.J., Cannon, M.J., Thacher, T.D., Bruns, R., Pellett, P.E., Dollard, S.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; EBV; Endemic Diseases; Epidemiology; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - epidemiology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - immunology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germany - epidemiology; Herpesvirus 4, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus 8, Human - immunology; HHV-8; Human herpesvirus 8; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infant; Infectious diseases; KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus); Medical sciences; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Nigeria - epidemiology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - epidemiology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - immunology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - virology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; seroprevalence; United States - epidemiology; Viral diseases; Virology
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10548

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Several studies indicate horizontal HHV‐8 transmission among children in areas where KS is endemic, but few studies have assessed acquisition of HHV‐8 by children in low seroprevalence areas. Antibody screening was carried out for HHV‐8 and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) on 787 serum specimens from children living in two areas where HHV‐8 is not endemic, the United States (US) and Germany, and on 184 specimens from children living in a KS‐endemic area (Nigeria). For children in the US and Germany, the results showed low HHV‐8 seroprevalence rates (3–4%). However, US children aged 6 months to 5 years had higher HHV‐8 antibody titers than did 6–17‐year‐old children (P