Distribution of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Herpesvirus 8 Co-Infections among Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 Positive Patients

Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus (HHV)-8 could cause significant illness as opportunistic infections. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV and HHV-8 in saliva specimens obtained from HIV-1 infected Iranian individuals under the Highly Active Antiviral Therapy (HAART) regimen compared with naïve patients.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 HIV-1 positive patients who attended the hospitals affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was performed to evaluate HHV-8 and EBV antibodies. A conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on saliva samples to detect EBV infection and a nested-PCR assay for HHV-8 infection. SPSS (version 20) was used for statistical analysis.

Patients' mean age ± SD was 43.9 ± 16 (range 18-82 years), and from among 103 participants, 59 (57.3%) were male. The results of PCR showed that HHV-8 infection was found in 19 (18.4%), and EBV infection was found in 61 (59.2%) participants. Also, HHV-8 antibody was detected in 73 (70.9%), and EBV antibody in 97 (94.2%) patients. A significant association was observed between patients under treatment with HAART and HHV-8 DNA or EBV DNA infection in saliva.

HIV-infected patients demonstrated a remarkable rate of EBV and HHV-8 in saliva, which could have a great role in the shedding of viruses. Also, they may contribute to the establishment of further opportunistic infections and devastating complications.