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Maternal-Infant Transmission of Human Herpesvirus Type 8 (HHV-8) in Zambia H. MANTINA*1, C. KANKASA3, G. BHAT3, B. BRAYFIELD1, Q. DU1, J. CAMPBELL3, F. KASOLO3, C. MITCHELL2, W. KLASKALA2, and C. WOOD1.
1Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln; 2Univ. of Miami, FL; and 3Univ. Teaching Hosp., Univ. of Zambia, Africa Objective: To determine whether the increased frequency of Kaposi's Sarcoma among Zambian women and children is associated with both 1. a high endemic rate of infection with HHV-8 and 2. the perinatal transmission of HHV-8.
Background: Previously, we reported a HHV-8 seroprevalence among Zambian women of child bearing age of about 40% We now report new evidence suggesting the perinatal transmission of HHV-8.
Study Design: Prospective Cohort-Controlled Study of Zambian mother-infant pairs (MIP) recruited at birth at UTH.
Methods: Plasma and PBMCs were collected from recruited MIP. Plasma was analyzed for HHV-8 and HIV-1 antibodies by an immunoflorescence assay (IFA). PBMC were tested for HHV-8 DNA sequences by PCR.
Results: To date, over 1500 MIP have been recruited. Overall, 40% of the mothers are HHV-8 seropositive and 32% HIV-1 seropositive. Thirty-seven percent of HHV-8 positive women are also infected with HIV-1 whereas only 29% the HHV-8 seronegative women are HIV-1 positive. The HHV-8 positive mothers have a higher risk of being HIV-1 positive than HHV-8 negative mothers, with a risk ratio of 1.25 (95% C.I.: 1.1 - 1.5). HHV-8 sequences were detected in 31/114 mothers that were studied (27.2%). Three infants born to these HHV-8 DNA positive mothers were also found to have HHV-8 DNA in their PBMC drawn at birth. All three infants were born to HHV-8 positive, HIV-1 negative mothers.
Conclusion: Our data suggests that the HHV-8 may be vertically transmitted, although the frequency may be very low. Sequence analysis of both mother and infant HHV-8 DNA is currently ongoing to determine their similarity.
Key Words: HHV-8, Kaposi's Sarcoma, transmission
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