Rezza G, Dorrucci M, Pezzotti P, Andreoni M, Ensoli B; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 148 (abstract no. 13310).

Istituto Superiore di Sanita'-COA V.LE Regina Elena, Roma, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate progression rates to KS and other AIDS-related diseases in HIV-positive individuals coinfected/non-coinfected with HHV-8. To identify other determinants of progression to KS in coinfected individuals. DESIGN: longitudinal study. METHODS: We studied individuals belonging to different exposure categories to HIV (i.e., homosexual relationships, injecting drug use, and heterosexual contact) with a negative HIV test followed by a positive test within two years. HHV-8 antibody testing was performed by IFA on the available serum sample stored closest to the first HIV positive test. Rates of progression to KS and other AIDS-related diseases were estimated through time-to-event statistical methods; CD4 decline was estimated through linear regression analysis. RESULTS: 21 cases of KS and 95 non-KS AIDS cases occurred among the 366 participants. 140 (38.2%) participants were found to have anti-lytic HHV-8 antibodies, which were detected in 61% of the 171 homosexual men, in 15% of the 133 IDUs, and in 22% of the 56 heterosexual contacts. The estimated progression rate to KS among HHV-8 coinfected persons was nearly 25% within 10 years of HIV seroconversion. Of those who developed KS, only one individual was HHV-8 negative at time of testing. The risk of KS increased along with increasing HHV-8 antibody titers and with decreasing CD4 count among coinfected individuals. The presence of HHV-8 antibodies was not significantly associated with a faster progression to other AIDS-defining illnesses [adjusted relative hazard: 1.14 (95% CI: 0.72-1.80)], and the rate of CD4 cell decline of the individuals with antibodies to HHV-8 was similar to that of HHV-8 antibody negative persons. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-fourth of HHV-8 coinfected individuals develop KS within ten years of HIV seroconversion. Higher antibody titers appear to predict faster progression to KS. There is no evidence that co-infection with HHV-8 is a cofactor for the CD4 decline or progression to other AIDS-defining illnesses.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Antigens, CD4
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Disease Progression
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Herpesvirus 8, Human
• Homosexuality
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Sarcoma, Kaposi
• immunology

Other ID:

• 98388766

UI: 102227696

From Meeting Abstracts