Correlates of Human Herpesvirus-8 Seropositivity Among U.S. Military Members Recently Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma, is common among HIV-infected persons. The exact route of transmission of HHV-8 in various populations is still debated. Goal The goal was to define the correlates of HHV-8 infection among men recently infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Study Design Three hundred forty-two HIV-infected U.S. military men were evaluated using a questionnaire regarding potential risk factors and laboratory data, including HHV-8, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C serologies. Results The seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 32%. HHV-8 was significantly associated with hepatitis B seropositivity (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–4.1), and black ethnicity was negatively associated with HHV-8 (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3–0.9) in the multivariate analysis. HHV-8 was not associated with drug use or hepatitis C seropositivity. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), HHV-8 infection correlated with hepatitis B seropositivity (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1–4.3) and HSV-2 (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4–4.9). Among heterosexuals, the correlates of HHV-8 were different; blacks as compared with whites (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.8) and married versus single status (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.9) were associated with a lower rate of HHV-8 infection. Among heterosexuals, hepatitis B, HSV-2, and sexual behaviors were not associated with HHV-8. Conclusion This study suggests that the seroprevalence of HHV-8 is increased in both MSM and heterosexual men with HIV infection, and that the route(s) of HHV-8 acquisition might be different between MSM and heterosexuals.