International Journal of Epidemiology 2002;31:946-950
© International Epidemiological Association 2002
Special Theme: Infectious Diseases |
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection in elderly Jews and non-Jews from New York City
a Viral Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
b Department of Geriatrics and
c Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
d Viral Epidemiology Section, AIDS Vaccine Program, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
Eric A Engels, Viral Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS 8010, Rockville, MD 20892, USA. E-mail: engelse{at}exchange.nih.gov
Abstract
Background Worldwide, Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) occurs in immunocompetent elderly adults, especially men. Elderly Jews have relatively high KS risk, but it is unclear whether this indicates heightened prevalence of KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), the KS agent. We studied Jewish and non-Jewish patients at a New York City geriatrics clinic.
Methods We measured plasma antibodies against K8.1 (a KSHV glycoprotein) by enzyme immunoassay and against viral latency antigens by immunofluorescence assay. Individuals positive by either were considered KSHV-seropositive. Titres were performed for positive subjects. We used polymerase chain reaction to quantify circulating KSHV DNA.
Results Of 467 subjects (median age 80 years), 40 were KSHV-seropositive (8.6%). Seroprevalence was 8.8% among Jews (18 of 204), similar to other religious groups, and did not differ by sex or region of birth. However, K8.1 antibody titres were higher in men than women (geometric mean titre 177 versus 35, P = 0.03) and increased with age (P = 0.02). The K8.1 titres were higher in three people from Central/Eastern Europe (1280, 1280, 320), all of whom were Jewish, than in others (geometric mean titre 39, P = 0.006). The single person with detectable circulating KSHV (457 copies/million cells) had the highest titre (5120).
Conclusions The KSHV seroprevalence was not elevated among elderly Jews, despite their known high risk for KS. However, among KSHV-seropositive individuals, K8.1 titres were highest in subgroups at greatest risk for KS (men, older individuals, people from Central/Eastern Europe) and may identify individuals with poor immune control of KSHV replication during asymptomatic infection.
Keywords Human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus), Kaposi’s sarcoma, aged (elderly), Jews
Accepted 25 March 2002