Distribution of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Herpesvirus 8 Co-Infections among Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 Positive Patients

Arezoo  Marjani; Khashayar  Hesamizadeh; Farah  Bokharaei-Salim; Khadijeh  Khanaliha; Mohammad Hadi  Karbalaie Niya; Zahra  Habib; Maryam  Esghaei

doi:10.18502/ijml.v9i3.10904

Arezoo Marjani Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Khashayar Hesamizadeh Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farah Bokharaei-Salim Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Khadijeh Khanaliha Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Habib Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Esghaei Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijml.v9i3.10904

Keywords: Epstein-Barr Virus, HIV, Human Herpesvirus 8, Opportunistic infections, Co-infection

Abstract

Background and Aims: Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus (HHV)-8 could cause significant illness as opportunistic infections. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV andHHV-8 in saliva specimens obtained from HIV-1 infected Iranian individuals under the Highly Active Antiviral Therapy (HAART) regimen compared with naïve patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 HIV-1 positive patients who attended the hospitals affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was performed to evaluate HHV-8 and EBV antibodies. A conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on saliva samples to detect EBV infection and a nested-PCR assay for HHV-8 infection. SPSS (version 20) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Patients' mean age ± SD was 43.9 ± 16 (range 18-82 years), and from among 103 participants, 59 (57.3%) were male. The results of PCR showed that HHV-8 infection was found in 19 (18.4%), and EBV infection was found in 61 (59.2%) participants. Also, HHV-8 antibody was detected in 73 (70.9%), and EBV antibody in 97 (94.2%) patients. A significant association was observed between patients under treatment with HAART and HHV-8 DNA or EBV DNA infection in saliva.

Conclusions: HIV-infected patients demonstrated a remarkable rate of EBV and HHV-8 in saliva, which could have a great role in the shedding of viruses. Also, they may contribute to the establishment of further opportunistic infections and devastating complications.