Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in healthy urban employees from Greece: Seroprevalence and associated factors

A cross-sectional study was carried out in healthy company employees from Greece with the aim of assessing the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and identifying risk factors for this herpesviral infection. Serum samples obtained from 955 subjects were tested for antibodies to HHV-8 by the K8.1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between HHV-8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using t-test, chi square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. HHV-8 prevalence was 7.6% (95% confidence interval (0): 6.0%, 9.5%) and it increased with age from 6.5% among < 30 years old to 13.8% among >= 50 years old subjects (P=0.006). HHV-8 seropositivity was independently associated with endoscopic examination (odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% Cl: 1.09, 3.70; P=0.026), HBsAg positivity (OR: 5.16; 95% Cl: 2.02, 13.20; P=0.001) and age (OR >= 50 years old vs. < 50 years old: 2.09; 95% Cl: 1.23, 3.52; P= 0.006). No statistically significant associations between HHV-8 positive status and gender, occupational status, surgery, transfusion, tattoos/body piercing, multiple sex partners, weakness/fatigue, HCV status were observed. HHV-8 is prevalent in Greece. The strong association between HBV infection and HHV-8 positive status supports the hypothesis of an association between these two viral infections. The association between HHV-8 seropositivity and endoscopic examination requires further investigation.