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Abstract
ORAL SHEDDING AND PROPAGATION OF HHV-8 IN PHARYNGEAL LYMPHOID TISSUES: POTENTIAL COFACTOR ROLE OF HIV
BRODIE S, JOHNSON A, VIEIRA J, KOELLE D, WALD A, COREY L
BACKGROUND: Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a predominant opportunistic disease associated with HIV, both in the USA and in the developing world. While HHV-8 appears to be sexually transmitted among men who have sex with men (MSM), acquisition during early childhood is also well documented. Even among MSM, the mode of transmission is unclear. We have previously shown HHV-8 to be present in saliva in high titer. Here, we focus attention on the biology of oral infection, particularly the site(s) of virus replication in the oropharynx and factors that determine frequency and concentrations of HHV-8 in saliva.
METHODS: We use a variety of quantitative measures, including TaqMan PCR, in situ hybridization, and in situ PCR to document HHV-8 infection and replication within specific cell types obtained from the genital, rectal, and oral cavities from HIV-infected MSM.
RESULTS: HHV-8 DNA was detected 10 times more frequently in oropharyngeal vs. genital or anal/rectal secretions. Moreover, the titers of HHV-8 in mucosal pharyngeal swabs and saliva were 2-3 logs higher than semen, prostatic secretions, and anal/rectal swabs. HHV-8 oncentrations in saliva were higher in individuals with concurrent HIV infection and swabs from the tonsil and lingual surfaces appeared to contain the highest titers of virus. Salivary glands were not major sources of oral HHV-8. In a preliminary study, we obtained tonsil biopsies from 2 HHV-8/HIV seropositive men; both showed prominent infection of germinal center B lymphocytes in sites of HIV p24 antigen expression. HHV-8 lytic gene transcripts in these biopsies localized to epithelial cells extending from the lymphoepithelial interface to the capsular surface. CONCLUSION: HHV-8 replicates within lymphoid tissues of the oropharynx where virus can be shed into saliva, possibly via epitheliolysis, suggesting that direct contact with oral secretions is an important mechanism for HHV-8 transmission from seropositive men to their sex partners.
The 1st. IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
68
Suggested Citation
"BRODIES, et al.
ORAL SHEDDING AND PROPAGATION OF HHV-8 IN PHARYNGEAL LYMPHOID TISSUES: POTENTIAL COFACTOR ROLE OF HIV.
Oral Presentation:
The 1st. IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
:
Abstract no.
68"
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