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Viral coinfections among African children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Rana Chakraborty1, Gareth Rees, Dimitra Bourboulia

  • 1Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. ranachakraborty@hotmail.com

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|March 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Coinfection is common in Kenyan children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) coinfection was universal, while Hepatitis G virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) were also detected.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in children presents unique challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • Coinfections with various viral pathogens are frequently observed in individuals with HIV-1, potentially complicating disease progression and treatment.
  • Understanding the prevalence of specific coinfections is crucial for comprehensive management of pediatric HIV-1.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of coinfections with cytomegalovirus (CMV), human T cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1/2), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and hepatitis B, C, and G viruses in Kenyan children with HIV-1.
  • To assess the burden of specific viral coinfections in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of city-dwelling children in Kenya diagnosed with HIV-1 was recruited.
  • Diagnostic testing was performed to detect coinfection with CMV, HTLV-1/2, KSHV, and hepatitis B, C, and G viruses.

Main Results:

  • All children in the study were found to be coinfected with cytomegalovirus (CMV).
  • Hepatitis G virus coinfection was identified in 5% of the children.
  • Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) coinfection was present in 15% of the children.

Conclusions:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous coinfection among HIV-1-infected children in this Kenyan cohort.
  • Hepatitis G virus and KSHV coinfections are present, though at lower frequencies than CMV.
  • While a protective role for Hepatitis G virus is suggested, it likely impacts only a small proportion of HIV-1-infected African children.

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