TITLE:
Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) Genotyping and Genetic Variability in Sub-Saharan Africa Using Peripheral Blood: A Literature Excerpt Compilation
AUTHORS:
Pierrot Mulumeoderhwa Kahasha, Etienne Marbaix, Raphaël Chirimwami Bulakali, Benoît Kabamba Mukadi
KEYWORDS:
HHV-8, KSHV, HIV, Genetic Diversity, Genotypes, ORF-K1, Phylogenetic Analysis, Sub-Saharan Africa, Kaposi Sarcoma
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pathology,
Vol.16 No.4,
August
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the etiological agent of Kaposi sarcoma and is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Its circulation extends beyond clinically affected individuals to HIV-positive and asymptomatic populations. Molecular characterization based on the ORF-K1 genomic region has revealed substantial genetic diversity and distinct geographic clustering. Methods: A literature excerpt compilation was conducted on studies published between January 2015 and March 2025. Relevant articles were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Studies reporting molecular characterization of Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in Sub-Saharan Africa among Kaposi sarcoma patients, HIV-positive individuals, and asymptomatic carriers using peripheral blood, plasma, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were included. No systematic screening protocol or meta-analysis was applied. Results: HHV-8 genetic diversity was consistently observed across sub-Saharan Africa, showing a geographically structured distribution of viral lineages. East and Central Africa were characterized by a relatively conserved pattern with predominance of genotype B and A5, whereas West Africa exhibited greater heterogeneity with frequent circulation of genotypes B and C. Similar genotype distributions were observed among Kaposi sarcoma patients, HIV-positive individuals, and asymptomatic carriers, supporting widespread community-level circulation independent of clinical status. Conclusion: HHV-8 exhibits substantial genetic heterogeneity across sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by a limited number of dominant viral lineages and regionally structured diversity. Peripheral blood-based molecular studies provide key insights into viral circulation patterns and transmission dynamics across different population groups. However, current evidence remains constrained by heterogeneous study designs and limited geographic coverage. Consequently, further multicenter, standardized molecular studies are needed to better elucidate the relationship between viral genetic diversity, clinical outcomes, and the evolutionary dynamics of HHV-8 in the region.