COMPARISON OF THE PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HUMAN-HERPESVIRUS-8 (KAPOSIS SARCOMA-ASSOCIATED HERPESVIRUS) IN BRAZIL AND COLORADO

The prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; Kaposi's sarcoma [KS] he rpesvirus) infection was determined by IFA in 297 persons living in Br azil and Colorado. The prevalence of antibody to HHV-8 in human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) type 1-seropositive gay men with and without KS was similar in Brazil and Colorado. In Brazil, the prevalence of HHV- 8 antibody was significantly greater in HIV-1-seronegative gay men tha n in HIV-1-seronegative male intravenous drug users. HHV-8-seropositiv e Brazilian gay men who had a clinical diagnosis of KS or who were inf ected with HIV-1 had significantly higher titers of HHV-8 antibody tha n did HHV-8-seropositive, HIV-1-seronegative Brazilian gay men. These findings provide further support for the association between HHV-8 inf ection and KS and suggest that, as in the United States, HHV-8 infecti on is transmitted sexually in Brazil.