Kaposi's sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa: a current perspective

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology of infectious diseases
• Oncology
• Public health in sub-Saharan Africa

Background:

• Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a significant public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
• The incidence of HIV-associated KS has risen with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• Understanding KS epidemiology and management in SSA is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent literature on HIV/AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa.
• To update on KS epidemiology, clinical features, therapy, and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent publications on HIV/AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma in SSA.
• Synthesis of data on Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus infection and HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Main Results:

• Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus seroprevalence varies across SSA.
• Horizontal transmission is more common than sexual transmission.
• HIV-associated KS incidence has increased, particularly in females and younger individuals.
• KS-specific therapy is underutilized due to limited access to antiretroviral therapy and financial constraints.
• Clinicians must suspect KS-IRIS with increasing availability of antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions:

• Kaposi's sarcoma remains a public health concern in SSA.
• Further research on KS therapy in resource-limited settings is essential.
• Increased availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is expected to decrease HIV-associated KS incidence and improve management.