Prevalence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and transfusion-transmissible infections in Tanzanian blood donors

Authors

Salum J. Lidenge, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ocean Road Cancer Institute & Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesFollow
Tara Tran, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
For Yue Tso, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John R. Ngowi, Ocean Road Cancer Institute
Danielle M. Shea, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Julius Mwaiselage, OMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences cean Road Cancer Institute &Follow
Charles Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John T. West, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

International Journal of Infectious Diseases 95 (2020) 204–209

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.04.018

Comments

© 2020 The Author(s).

Abstract

Objective: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), one of the most common cancers in Tanzania. We have investigated KSHV prevalence and factors associated with KSHV infection in Tanzania.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of voluntary blood-donors from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Plasma was screened for KSHV, HIV-1, HBV, HCV and Treponema pallidum (syphilis). Associations between KSHV sero-status and risk factors were analyzed. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported to evaluate risk factors of KSHV infection. All tests were 2-tailed, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The overall KSHV seroprevalence was 56.9%. Significantly increased risk of KSHV infection was detected in persons from the Lake and Central Zones (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 1.6–25.3, P = 0.008 and OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.0–32.5, P = 0.048 respectively). A trend toward increased risk of KSHV infection with HIV-1 co-infection was not significant (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.0–8.0, P = 0.06). Seroreactivity to T. pallidum was surprisingly high (14.9%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of KSHV infection and syphilis was high among Tanzanian blood-donors. The most common transfusion-transmissible infections did not associate with KSHV infection. Regions of focal KSHV infection need further investigation for underappreciated risk factors.