Prevalence and risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection in northern Cameroon

Background: The modes of transmission of HHV-8 are still unclear. Goal: To evaluate the distribution and transmission of HHV-8 infection. Design: Serosurvey conducted in a Cameroon hospital among 292 persons, incl uding children (5-10 years), adolescents (15-20 years), and adults (30-40 y ears). Antibodies against lytic and latent antigens to HHV-8 were detected by immunofluorescence assay; antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus viral an tigens were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Results: The prevalence of HHV-8 antilytic antibodies remained stable and w as 39.8% among children, 51.5% among adolescents, and 61.8% among adults. E pstein-Barr virus seroprevalence was high among children, and remained stab le among adolescents and adults. A history of sexually transmitted diseases was an independent determinant of HHV-8 infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.4 7; 95% CI 1.09-4.91). Conclusion: The high prevalence of HHV-8 infection among children indicates nonsexual modes of transmission in Cameroon, with sexual transmission occu rring among adolescents and adults.