A prospective study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Epstein–Barr virus in adults with human immunodeficiency virus-1

2006

KSHV and EBV in HIV adults

Sample size: 256 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Newton R, Carpenter L, Casabonne D, Beral V, Babiker A, Darbyshire J, Weller I, Weiss R, Kwan A, Bourboulia D, Munoz F, Lagos D, Boshoff C

Primary Institution: Epidemiology & Genetics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK

Hypothesis

The study aims to investigate the role of antibody titres against Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in predicting the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in HIV-infected individuals.

Conclusion

High levels of antibodies against KSHV are strongly associated with the subsequent risk of Kaposi's sarcoma, but not with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Supporting Evidence

Latent antibodies against KSHV were found in 38% of Kaposi's sarcoma cases compared to 12% of controls.
The odds ratio for Kaposi's sarcoma increased with higher antilatent KSHV antibody titres.
Lytic antibodies against KSHV were present in 33% of cases and 19% of controls.
The odds ratio for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not significantly associated with KSHV antibodies.

Takeaway

People with HIV who have high levels of certain antibodies are more likely to develop a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma.

Methodology

The study involved a prospective analysis of antibody titres in HIV-infected individuals who developed Kaposi's sarcoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, using matched controls from clinical trials.