The epidemiology and immunology of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus in Uganda. (360G-Wellcome-090132_Z_09_Z)

The impact of the HIV epidemic on the spread of Kaposi s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is poorly understood and is of significant public health concern. We plan to exploit the unique resources available at MRC/UVRI to investigate the epidemiology and immunology of KSHV in longstanding cohorts of well-characterised people. The research questions are: 1) has the prevalence of KSHV increased in the last 20 years in a population in which HIV is relatively common? 2) is the prevalence of KSHV higher among couples in which one or both partners is infected with HIV than in couples without HIV infection? 3) among children born to mothers infected with KSHV, is the prevalence of KSHV higher among those children whose mothers also have HIV infection, than in those whose mothers do not? 4) does the age of infection correlate with subsequent anti-KSHV antibody titres (which are related to risk of KS)? We will also conduct innovative research on the cellular immune response to KSHV in a pop ulation where the infection is endemic. Because we plan to use existing biological samples and data, this study represent significant added value to current research activity and can be completed within the available time.