Prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 and hepatitis C virus in a rural community with a high risk for blood-borne infections in central China

Illegal blood donation in the past decade has caused human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks in some rural areas in China. Other HIV-associated virus infections, such as those caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), in such areas are still not well defined. In order to explore HHV8 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence and potential risk factors in such areas, a cross-sectional study with 305 HIV-positive and 315 HIV-negative subjects recruited from a rural county in Shanxi province was conducted, in which illegal blood collection was reported. Interview questionnaires and serum testing were carried out with these participants. HCV and HHV8 seroprevalence were found to be higher in the HIV-positive than in the HIV-negative group (76.4% vs. 2.5% and 15.4% vs. 4.8%, respectively), whereas the difference in HBV seroprevalence was not significant. Co-infection with HCV and HHV8 was also more prevalent in the HIV-positive group. HIV status (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.16-6.30) and HBV status (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.14-5.75) were independently associated with HHV8 infection. HIV status (OR 23.03; 95% CI 9.95-53.27) and blood/plasma selling history (OR 14.57; 95% CI 7.49-28.23) were strongly associated with HCV infection. These findings demonstrate that both HHV8 and HCV infections are prevalent in this community. HIV infection is an important risk factor for both HHV8 and HCV infection. HBV infection is associated with HHV8 infection but not with HCV infection. It is possible that HHV8 and hepatitis B virus, but not HCV, have similar modes of transmission in this population.