Epidemiology of Human Herpes Virus 8 in Pregnant Women and their Newborns - A cross-sectional delivery survey in Central Gabon

• This study investigates whether in utero transmission of human herpes virus-8 is an important mode of transmission in Central Africa
• Seropositivity was 35% in pregnant women and passive transfer of specific IgG occurred in 31% of newborns.
• Viraemia was detected in only one pregnant woman at delivery and none of the tested cord blood samples showed evidence for active HHV-8 infection. This indicates that other routes of transmission account for the early increase in seroprevalence during childhood in Central African communities.
• No association between HHV-8 seropositivity and adverse birth outcomes was observed.

SummaryObjectivesOn the background of a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection in pre-pubertal Central African children, this study investigated the potential for in utero transmission of HHV-8.PatientsGabonese pregnant women were invited to provide peripheral and cord blood samples for serological and PCR diagnostics of HHV-8 infection at delivery for this cross-sectional survey.ResultsOut of 344 participants 120 (35%, 95% CI: 30-40%) were serologically positive for HHV-8. 31% (95% CI: 22-40%) of cord blood samples of seropositive women had detectable IgG antibodies. Among all seropositive participants HHV-8 was detected by PCR in one maternal peripheral blood sample at delivery (1%, 95% CI: 0.2-7%) and in none of cord blood samples. There was no association between demographic characteristics and infection status. Similarly, there was no difference in risk for premature delivery, low birth weight, and maternal anaemia in HHV-8 seropositive women.DiscussionThese data suggest a high seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection in pregnant women, however viraemia at delivery does not commonly occur in Central Africa. Based on these observations it may be speculated that infection of children may occur more commonly either antepartum or later on in infancy and childhood.