Epidemiology and Genetic Variability of HHV-8/KSHV among Rural Populations and Kaposi's Sarcoma Patients in Gabon, Central Africa. Review of the Geographical Distribution of HHV-8 K1 Genotypes in Africa

Viruses. 2021 Jan 25;13(2):175. doi: 10.3390/v13020175.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiological agent of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). K1 gene studies have identified five major molecular genotypes with geographical clustering. This study described the epidemiology of HHV-8 and its molecular diversity in Gabon among Bantu and Pygmy adult rural populations and KS patients. Plasma antibodies against latency-associated nuclear antigens (LANA) were searched by indirect immunofluorescence. Buffy coat DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to obtain a K1 gene fragment. We studied 1020 persons; 91% were Bantus and 9% Pygmies. HHV-8 seroprevalence was 48.3% and 36.5% at the 1:40 and 1:160 dilution thresholds, respectively, although the seroprevalence of HHV-8 is probably higher in Gabon. These seroprevalences did not differ by sex, age, ethnicity or province. The detection rate of HHV-8 K1 sequence was 2.6% by PCR. Most of the 31 HHV-8 strains belonged to the B genotype (24), while the remaining clustered within the A5 subgroup (6) and one belonged to the F genotype. Additionally, we reviewed the K1 molecular diversity of published HHV-8 strains in Africa. This study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of HHV-8 in rural adult populations in Gabon and the presence of genetically diverse strains with B, A and also F genotypes.

Keywords: HHV-8; KSHV; epidemiology; genetic variability; rural populations Gabon; serology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Gabon / epidemiology
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / classification
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology
  • Phylogeny
  • Rural Population
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / epidemiology*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • DNA, Viral
  • K1 protein, Human herpesvirus 8
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • latency-associated nuclear antigen