Poppers, by Inducing HHV-8 Virion Production, Can Act as a Promoter for HHV-8 Transmission in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Environmental factors were reported to increase the risk of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) transmission. In a population of men who have sex with men (MSM), we found evidence that chemsex was associated with human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity in vivo and that poppers induced HHV-8 virion production in vitro. Our finding may explain the higher HHV-8 transmission in MSM.