Infant feeding and treatment practices could lead to enhanced transmission of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other orally shed infections via saliva, in rural south-western Uganda
Bukenya, Dominic;
Marshall, Vickie A;
Nabaggala, Georgina;
Miley, Wendell;
Mirembe, Miriam;
Whitby, Denise;
Seeley, Janet;
Newton, Robert;
Rochford, Rosemary;
Sabourin, Katherine R;
(2024)
Infant feeding and treatment practices could lead to enhanced transmission of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other orally shed infections via saliva, in rural south-western Uganda.
Global public health, 19 (1).
ISSN 1744-1692
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2024.2418594
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This qualitative sub-study investigated household practices affecting orally shed infections using Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) as a focus. Participants enrolled from 50 households in rural south-western Uganda were followed monthly up to three times. At enrolment, in-depth interviews were completed, and venous blood collected. KSHV seropositivity was defined as anti-KSHV antibody detection to any of 25 antigens by multiplex bead-based assay. Mouthwash samples from every visit were tested by qPCR and KSHV shedders defined as individuals with KSHV DNA detected. At least one KSHV seropositive person was in 48/49(98%) households. Among those, 79% had 1+ KSHV shedders including 45% with 1+ always shedders and 92% with 1+ intermittent shedders, not mutually exclusively. All respondents reported feeding infants with pre-masticated hard food/fruits and testing food/tea temperature. Temperature was tested by tasting, pouring tea on their hand, or touching the cup to their cheek. Some cooled food/tea using a utensil or blowing over it. Food sharing amongst children and adults and using the same dish was common practice. To treat colic pain, carers/mothers reported chewing herbs and spitting into the child’s mouth. Feeding and treatment practices did not vary by KSHV status. We identified potential KSHV transmission modes in rural Ugandan households.