Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Human Herpesvirus 8 Infection among People Living with HIV in Pointe-Noire and Dolisie Republic of Congo
Evrard Gerald Launay Missamou, Luc Magloire Anicet Boumba, Roch Bredin Bissala Nkounkou, Paola Candise Tsimba, Gervillien Arnold MALONGA, Christ Novely Balanda Nkouanga, Christy Parfait Nganga, Aladin Atandi-Batchy, Ferdinand Brel Got, Charley Elenga-Bongo, Aubierge Victoire Kimpamboundi-Matondo, Jean Felix Peko, Donatien Moukassa.
Background: Human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) is a tumor virus causing Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s disease. The
seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection varies in various geographical areas, and HIV infection is a major risk factor that promotes the reactivation of HHV-8 after
establishment of the latent phase. Despite the HIV burden in Congo, limited data exist on HHV-8 seroprevalence and its associated risk factors. This study aimed to
determine the seroprevalence of HHV-8 and identify risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection among people living with HIV in Pointe-Noire and Dolisie.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between september 2023 and june 2024 among HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Participants were recruited from Adolphe Sicé Hospital and the Regional Military Hospital in Pointe-Noire and Dolisie, respectively. Blood samples were collected, and all plasma were tested for anti-LANA-1 IgG using a commercial ELISA kit. HIV viral load was quantified using the GeneXpert system. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistic version 27.0.1 software, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 412 PLWH were recruited with an average age 47.18 ± 11.79 years, and female were more represented 75.1% (n=310). The overall seroprevalence
of HHV-8 was 12.83% (53/413). HHV-8 seroprevalence was higher in Pointe-Noire 11.86% (49/413) compared to Dolisie 0.97% (4/413). HHV-8 seropositivity was
significantly associated with employment status (aOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.04–5.91, p = 0.04) and condom use (aOR = 4.91, 95% CI: 1.1-21.85, p = 0.03). There were no
significant associations of HHV-8 infection with age, sex, marital status, education level, blood transfusion, multiple sexual partners and injecting drug use.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the presence of HHV-8 in these locations. These findings indicate that employment status and occasional condom use influence
HHV-8 transmission in this population and highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies.
