Antibodies against human herpesvirus 8 in South African renal transplant recipients and blood donors

Abstract

Blood donors and renal transplant patients had relatively high HHV-8 antibody titres. Given the strong association between HHV-8 seropostivity and the risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma, it may be prudent in settings where HHV-8 seroprevalence is high to screen for HHV-8 in donated blood used for these immunocompromised individuals.