Human Herpes Virus-8 Oral Shedding Heterogeneity Is Due to Varying Rates of Reactivation from Latency and Immune Containment.

ABSTRACT: Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is a gamma herpesvirus linked to the development of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). KS is more common in persons living with HIV (PLWH), but endemic KS in HIV-negative individuals is also common in sub-Saharan Africa. HHV-8 shedding occurs in the oral mucosa and is likely responsible for transmission. The mechanistic drivers of different HHV-8 shedding patterns in infected individuals are unknown. We applied stochastic mathematical models to a longitudinal study of HHV-8 oral shedding in 295 individuals in Uganda who were monitored daily with oral swabs. Participants were divided into four groups based on whether they were HIV-negative or -positive, as well as KS-negative or -positive. In all groups, we observed a wide variance of shedding patterns, including no shedding,

SUBMITTER: Swan DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12656823 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature