Epidemiology and Management of Human Herpesvirus 8-Related Diseases in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Central and Eastern Europe
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi sarcoma (KS), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), important causes of morbidity among people living with HIV. Data on these diseases remain limited from Central and Eastern Europe compared with Western Europe. We conducted a multicentre cross-sectional survey, using an online questionnaire distributed to HIV physicians within the Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group, comprising epidemiology, diagnostic capacity, and management of HHV-8-related diseases. Twenty-six HIV treatment centres from 22 countries participated, providing care for 36,845 people living with HIV. A total of 55 cases of KS (1.49 per 1000 PLWH) were reported, of which 35 (63.6%) had visceral involvement. MCD and PEL were uncommon, with 7 and 4 cases, respectively. Diagnostic capacity varied between centres: computed tomography was available in 80.8%, bronchoscopy in 30.8%, and gastroscopy in 23.1%. Antiretroviral therapy alone was the most common first-line treatment for limited KS, while pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was accessible as first-line and/or second-line treatment in 46.2% of centres. HHV-8-related diseases remain uncommon but clinically relevant complications of HIV infection in Central and Eastern Europe. Regional variability in diagnostic resources and treatment availability highlights the need for strengthened referral pathways and guideline-adherent care.
Source: Microorganisms
Authors: Botond Lakatos, Emily Burzynski, Janah Bou Chahine, Leyla Bennacer, Tetiana Koval, Siranush Martoyan, Gabriele Turel, Snezana Dragas, Velida Mulabdic, Lidija Popović Dragonjić, Murat Mehmeti, Georgios Siakallis, Antonija Verhaz, Ricardo Massmann, Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya, Ahmed Velic, Justyna Kowalska
Institutions: Semmelweis University, Medical University of Warsaw, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy, Poltava University of Economics and Trade, Poltava State Agrarian University, Ministry of Education and Science, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, University of Montenegro, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, University of Nis, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, University clinical center of Republika Srpska, University Hospital Bratislava, Comenius University Bratislava, Hacettepe University
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
OpenAlex ID: W7221597882