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Reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) by SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalised HIV-infected patients

  • 0International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Ebiomedicine +

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February 2, 2024

|

February 2, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

SARS-CoV-2 exposure may reactivate KSHV in unvaccinated, HIV-infected individuals. This highlights the need for monitoring KSHV reactivation in immunocompromised populations post-pandemic.

Area Of Science

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background

  • Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection caused significant illness, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
  • The long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on latent oncogenic herpesviruses like KSHV remains unclear.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 exposure and KSHV reactivation in HIV-infected patients.
  • To assess the role of vaccination status in this potential reactivation.

Main Methods

  • A longitudinal observational study of 407 non-hospitalized, HIV-infected adults in South Africa (CD4 count <350 cells/μL).
  • Data collected from October 2020 to April 2023, including SARS-CoV-2 and KSHV seroprevalence and KSHV viral load.
  • Analysis of KSHV reactivation in relation to SARS-CoV-2 exposure and vaccination status.

Main Results

  • KSHV seroprevalence was 53.5%; SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rose from 76.2% to 94.9%.
  • Detectable KSHV viral load increased significantly from 3.3% to 69.2% during the study.
  • Unvaccinated individuals with SARS-CoV-2 exposure showed significantly higher odds of KSHV reactivation (adjusted OR 1.28).

Conclusions

  • Repeated SARS-CoV-2 exposure may lead to KSHV reactivation in unvaccinated, immunocompromised individuals.
  • Monitoring for KSHV-associated pathologies in high-risk, immunodeficient patients is recommended post-pandemic.

Keywords:

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