Primary human herpesvirus 8 infection in immunocompetent children

Context: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection causes Kaposi sarcoma and lymphoproliferative disorders in immunosuppressed adults. Its manifestations in immunocompetent hosts are unknown. Objectives: To determine whether HHV-8 primary infection is symptomatic in immunocompetent children and to identify the epidemiological and virological correlates of HHV-8 infection. Design and Setting: Prospective cohort study conducted in the pediatric emergency department of a hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, between December 1, 1999, and April 30, 2000. Patients: Eighty-six children aged 1 to 4 years who were evaluated for a febrile syndrome of undetermined origin. Main Outcome Measures: Serological assay and polymerase chain reaction of blood and saliva samples for HHV-8. Information on potential risk factors for HHV-8 infection was also collected. Results: Thirty-six children (41.9%) were seropositive; HHV-8 DNA sequences were detected in 14 (38.9%) of these 36 children (detected in saliva in 11 of 14). Significant associations were found between HHV-8 infection and close contact with at least 2 other children in the community (36 of 63 vs 6 of 23 for