Continuous exposure to Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in healthcare workers does not result in KSHV infection

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) infection routes and risk of occupational exposure are still ill-defined. We analysed the risk for occupational acquisition of KSHV infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) with prolonged professional exposure to patients with classic KS, comparing the results to those obtained in healthy relatives of KS patients. Serum and/or saliva KSHV-specific antibodies and DNA were detected in five out of 35 healthy relatives of KS patients but in none of the eight HCWs, suggesting that, outside strict family contacts, horizontal transmission of KSHV is highly inefficient even for HCWs with prolonged contact with KS patients.

Keywords: Healthcare workers; Infection; Kaposi sarcoma; Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); Viruses.