Serologic evidence of human herpesvirus 8 transmission by homosexual but not heterosexual sex

Epidemiologic studies link Kaposi's sarcoma with a sexually transmitted age nt. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is likely to be that agent, but routes of t ransmission are poorly described. A seroepidemiologic study was conducted t o determine whether HHV-8 is transmitted sexually between heterosexuals, Se ra from 2718 patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2 ), Information on sex partners in the previous 12 months and past STDs were obtained by questionnaire. Relationships between possible risk factors and HHV-8 infection were assessed by logistic regression. Overall, seroprevale nce of HHV-8 was 7.3%. Independent risk factors for HHV-8 in the whole grou p were home/bisexuality and birth in Africa and, among homo/ bisexual men, a history of syphilis and HSV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus seropositi vity, Among heterosexuals there was no evidence for sexual transmission; th e only independent risk factor for HHV-8 seropositivity was birth in Africa .