Risk Factors for Early Childhood Infection of Human Herpesvirus-8 in Zambian Children: The Role of Early Childhood Feeding Practices

Authors

• Kay L. Crabtree, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Janet M. Wojcicki, University of California, San Francisco
• Veenu Minhas, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• David R. Smith, Mississippi State University
• Chipepo Kankasa, University of Zambia
• Charles D. Mitchell, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
• Charles Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 February ; 23(2): 300–308.

Comments

Copyright © 2014 by the American Association for Cancer Research.

Abstract

Background—Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection in early childhood is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa with prevalence increasing throughout childhood. Specific routes of transmission have not been clearly delineated, though HHV-8 is present in high concentrations in saliva.

Methods—To understand the horizontal transmission of HHV-8 within households to children we enrolled for cross-sectional analysis, 251 households including 254 children, age two and under, in Lusaka, Zambia. For all children, plasma was screened for HHV-8 and HIV-1 and health and behavioral questionnaires were completed. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess independent factors for HHV-8 infection in children.

Results—Risk factors for HHV-8 infection included increasing number of HHV-8 positive household members [OR 2.5 (95% CI: 1.9, 3.3) P < 0.01] and having a primary caregiver who tested the temperature of food with their tongue prior to feeding the child [OR 2.4 (95% CI: 1.93, 3.30) P =0.01]. Breastfeeding was protective against infection with HHV-8 for children [OR 0.3 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.72) P <0.01].

Conclusions—These results indicate that exposure to HHV-8 in the household increases risk for early childhood infection with specific feeding behaviors likely playing a role in transmission.

Impact—Interventions to protect children from infection should emphasize the possibility of infection through sharing of foods.