Intrauterine or intranatal transmission of human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) is apparently rare, but this route cannot be completely excluded. Until recently, the question of the possibility of transmitting HHV-8 from mother to child through saliva was not clear. By examining mother-child couples in South Africa, British scientists have demonstrated the existence of such a mode of transmission.

The study involved 2,546 mother-child couples. Blood samples from mothers and their children were examined for the presence of antibodies to lytic cycle antigens and the latent state of HHV-8.

Antibodies to the lytic cycle antigens were found in 40% of the mothers, antibodies to the latency antigens were found in 14%. The corresponding indicators in children were 12% and 7%. The higher the antibody titer in the mother, the higher the probability of their detection in the child (p less than 0.001). Lytic antibodies have been detected more frequently in mothers and children infected with HIV.

In the saliva study, 978 mothers of HHV-8 DNA were detected in 15% of the samples. The average number of copies of the virus in 1 ml of saliva was 488,450 and ranged from 1,550 to 660,000. The scan was done once, therefore the true frequency of the virus with saliva is underestimated.

Among children whose mothers did not secrete the virus with saliva, antibodies to lytic cycle antigens were detected in 13% (70/528). The same type of antibody was found in 29% (8/28) of children whose mothers isolated the virus with saliva in an amount of more than 50,000 copies / ml (odds ratio 2.6; 95% confidence 1,1-6,2). The presence of latent antibodies in children was not correlated with the release of the virus by saliva in the mother. Women with the highest titers of lytic antibodies isolated the virus with saliva in 34% of the cases, compared to 8% of mothers with lower titers (p less than 0.001).

43 breast milk samples were also examined. HHV-8 DNA was detected in 12 samples (28%), but the number of viral particles was several orders of magnitude lower than that of saliva (average number 5800 copies / ml with a fluctuation of the order 1550-12540 copies / ml).

The data obtained indicate the possibility of transmitting HHV-8 from mother to child through saliva, therefore, in case of infection of the mother, it is recommended to avoid actions in which the child enters contact with his saliva. In Africa, in particular, saliva is used to coat places that itch after an insect bite. These actions can facilitate mother-to-child transmission of the virus.