To evaluate whether or not human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) can be transmitted through a non-sexual route a serological survey was carried out in a group of 51 catholic nuns. The
seroprevalence rate and the geometrical mean antibody titre to anti-latent HHV8 antigen were
similar in nuns and in a group of 60 women, matched by age, in the general population (27 vs.
24%; 1028 vs. 1575, respectively). Moreover, by using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
HHV8 DNA sequences were detected in 7 of 16 (43·8%) saliva and peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with classical Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and in 3 out of
7 (42%) AIDS-KS patients. None of 5 HIV positive persons who did not have KS tested
positive for HHV8 DNA. HHV8 DNA sequences were also detected in 2 of 12 (17%) saliva
and 1 PBMC sample out of 12 healthy HHV8 positive individuals (age range: 30–80 years old).
This paper suggests that non-sexual transmission of HHV8 is operating in our geographical
setting and saliva may be a potential source of HHV8 spreading in the general population.