Elevada seroprevalencia de citomegalovirus, virus herpes simplex tipo 1 y virus Epstein Barr en adultos con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) are latent persistent infections. Their reactivation may cause illnesses and death in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV) people. World wide seroprevalence of these viruses is over 50%. In Chile, information is not available. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of CMV, HSV -1 and EBV in Chilean HIV- infected adults. Patients and Methods: A total of 400 HIV- infected adults aged 17 to 67 years (340 males) were studied during 2005 and 2006. CMV, HSV-1 and EBV serum antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Results: The mean lapse from the diagnosis of HIV and serum testing was 67 months and 69.5% patients received antiretroviral therapy. Sixty seven percent of the sample were men who had sex with men (MSM). The seroprevalence for CMV, HSV-1 and EBV were 98.5, 92.2 and 99.7%, respectively. No patient had negative antibodies for all three viruses. Male patients that were negative for HSV-1 had a lower frequency of MSM than the rest of males (26% vs 62%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of positive antibodies against CMV, HSV-1 and EBV in Chilean adults infected with HIV. Specific diagnostic tests and antiviral therapy should be available for these patients.