Seroprevalence of HHV 8 antibodies among the general population and HIV positive persons in the Czech Republic

• Published in: Journal of clinical virology Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 70 - 76
• Main Authors: Suchankova, A, Stankova, M, Roubalova, K, Vandasova, J, Bruckova, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2003
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - virology; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Child; Czech Republic - epidemiology; Female; General Czech population; Herpesviridae Infections - epidemiology; Herpesviridae Infections - virology; Herpesvirus 8, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus 8, Human - isolation & purification; HIV infection; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV Seropositivity - virology; Human herpes virus 8; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kaposi's sarcoma; Male; Middle Aged; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Czech Republic; Antibodies; Human herpes virus 8; HIV infection; Kaposi's sarcoma; General Czech population
• ISSN: 1386-6532; 1873-5967
• DOI: 10.1016/S1386-6532(02)00265-2

Background: The seroprevalence rates of herpesvirus 8 (HHV 8) antibodies were determined for the general Czech population and HIV-positive individuals. Objectives: Six hundred and sixty six serum samples from the general Czech population and 129 serum samples from HIV- positive persons were tested for the presence of antibodies to the HHV 8 lytic and latent antigens. Study design: HHV 8 antibodies were detected by the indirect immunofluorescence test. Results: In the general Czech population, only 2.4 and 0.3% of the serum samples tested positive for antibodies against the lytic and latent HHV 8 antigens, respectively. As many as 34.9 and 10.9% HIV positive individuals had antibodies to the HHV 8 antigens, respectively. Only three of them have developed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) to date. At the time of KS diagnosis, the three patients had antibodies to both HHV 8 antigens. HIV-positive homo/bisexuals were at significantly higher risk of aquiring HHV 8 infection compared with HIV-positive heterosexuals. The increase in HHV 8 seroprevalence was associated with progression of the HIV infection from stage A to stage B. No correlation was found between the HHV 8 seroprevalence and CD 4+T-lymphocytes counts or the HIV viral load. Conclusions: Among the general Czech population, the HHV 8 seroprevalence is as low as in the West European countries. The mean HHV 8 seroprevalence rate in HIV-positive individuals was 34.9% and was comparable with those reported in other low seroprevalence countries.