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Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus load in asymptomatic contacts of Cuban epidemic KS patients

Abstract:

To evaluate the pathogenic mechanisms and transmission routes involved in KSHV infection in 22 Cuban individuals who maintained close contact with epidemic KS patients, real-time PCR was used to quantify KSHV-DNA in clinical samples of plasma, saliva and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). KSHV-DNA was detected in 72.7% (16/22) of the contacts. The highest levels of KSHV load were detected in saliva, followed by PBMC (average log copies/100 ng DNA = 1. 28 and 1. 12), while significantly lower levels were detected in plasma (average log copies/ml = 0. 37). Two of three intra-domiciliary and two serodiscordant sexual contacts of AIDS-KS patients were infected with KSHV. The rate of KSHV-DNA detection in saliva and PBMC samples in men who have sex with men (MSM) was significantly higher than in heterosexuals (HT) (p = 0. 014). MSM were more likely to harbor KSHV-DNA in saliva when compared with HT individuals (OR 4. 33; 95% CI 1. 117-16. 8). These results emphasize that, in Cuba, KSHV horizontal transmission through saliva may occur, although homosexual behavior may pbkp_redispose an individual to KSHV acquisition. Even in the absence of disease, KSHV could cause an asymptomatic systemic infection in individuals who maintain close contact with AIDS-KS patients. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.