Human herpesvirus 8: serovprevalence and correlates in tumor patients from Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and other lymphoproliferative diseases. Although HHV-8 prevalence exhibits considerable variation in different geographic regions and populations, the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma appear to increase in areas with a high prevalence rate. In this study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on mixed antigens of HHV-8 ORF(73), ORF(65), and K8.1 in the antigenic region was established and used to determine viral prevalence estimates and risk factors associated with HHV-8 infection. Of 482 tumor patients studied, the overall seropositivity of HHV-8 was 25.5%. Notably, Han people, who were immigrants or descendents of immigrants from inland of China, exhibited 26.4% seropositivity. This is similar to that observed in Uygur people, a local ethnic group with a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection and incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma. While there was no significant difference in patients with different tumors, HHV-8 seroprevalence was higher in individuals with malignant diseases. Logistic regression analysis suggests that the age is a risk factor associated with HHV-8 infection, with prevalence increasing from 12.5% under 20-27.5% above 50. These results suggest that unlike other parts of mainland of China, Xinjiang is an area with a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection.