Human herpesvirus 8 infection and Kaposi's sarcoma among human immunodeficiency virus-infected and -uninfected women

Little is known about the epidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV- 8) infections among women. A cross- sectional study was conducted of HHV- 8 infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected and high- risk HIV- uninfected women. Serological tests with noninduced (latent) and induced (lytic) HHV- 8 antigens were used to detect infection among 2483 participants of a multisite cohort. Reactivity to latent antigen was present in 4.1% and to induced antigens in 12.0% of women. Seven of 8 women who reported Kaposi's sarcoma had HHV- 8 antibodies. Among HIV- positive women, HHV- 8 infection was associated with use of crack, cocaine, or heroin (76% vs. 65%; P < .001), past syphilis (29% vs. 20%; P < .001), an injection drug-using male sex partner (61% vs. 53%; P = .014), black race (P = .010), and enrollment site (P = .015). In multivariate analysis, HIV infection, older age, past syphilis, black race, and enrollment site were independently associated with HHV- 8 infection. In this cohort of North American women, HHV- 8 infection was associated with HIV infection, drug use, and risky sexual behavior.