Determinants of Gammaherpesvirus Shedding in Saliva Among Ugandan Children and Their Mothers

Abstract

In summary, in this population, individuals were more likely to shed EBV than KSHV in saliva. We identified several factors, including child's sex, that influence KSHV shedding, and we detected an inverse relationship between EBV and KSHV shedding, suggesting a direct or indirect interaction between the two viruses.

Mutual detection of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus and Epstein–Barr virus in blood and saliva of Cameroonians with and without Kaposi's sarcoma

“…The use of traditional alcoholic beverages we observed to be associated with anti‐KSHV Abs perhaps indicates a possible contribution of local plant extracts or products of fermentation (e.g., butyrate) to viral reactivation. Conversely, use of mosquito nets was associated with lower likelihood of KSHV detection in blood, plausibly because of reduced exposure to malaria, which we have reported as a risk factor for KSHV seroprevalence and DNA detection . In accordance with previous perplexing reports about KS risk and KSHV shedding, we also found that HIV‐uninfected smokers had a lower likelihood of KSHV detection in blood (although they had slightly higher anti‐K8.1 Ab levels).…”

“…Cross‐sectional studies such as this cannot investigate time as source of variation in shedding; rather, our aim is to compare the behaviour of the two viruses and investigate the cofactors that may affect shedding and salivary VL. We found that the prevalence of KSHV salivary shedding was moderate, while EBV was excreted almost universally; this is consistent with what we described in a mother–child cohort of HIV‐uninfected Ugandans . Participants with KS were more likely than controls to shed both viruses.…”

“…Data from in vitro and humanised animal models studies suggest that such interactions, both cooperative and competitive, do exist. We previously observed in HIV‐uninfected Ugandan mothers and children, that KSHV and EBV salivary loads were inversely correlated, particularly in KSHV shedders, suggesting a direct or indirect negative interaction. In nonhuman primates, we recently reported that the replication of the gammaherpesvirus rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV) might be promoted by or might contribute to the lymphomagenesis associated with the gammaherpesvirus rhesus lymphocryptovirus (RLCV) .…”

“…We hypothesised that frequent KSHV reactivations, which result in detectable KSHV VL in blood, would also be associated with higher antibody levels. In our study, detection of KSHV and KSHV VL (in blood or saliva) were associated with higher anti‐KSHV antibody levels, particularly antibody against the lytic antigen K8.1, consistent with previous observation in HIV uninfected Ugandan mothers . We are continuing to investigate longitudinally the relationship between KSHV VL and anti‐KSHV antibody levels in a population‐based Ugandan cohort …”

“…In our study, detection of KSHV and KSHV VL (in blood or saliva) were associated with higher anti-KSHV antibody levels, particularly antibody against the lytic antigen K8.1, consistent with previous observation in HIV uninfected Ugandan mothers. 30 We are continuing to investigate longitudinally the relationship between KSHV VL and anti-KSHV antibody levels in a population-based Ugandan cohort. 25 Unlike KSHV, EBV was readily detectable in a large majority of participants, and almost universally among the HIV-infected, whether they had KS or not.…”