Transmission of KSHV/HHV8 to Ugandan children with sickle cell disease. The Branch enrolled 600 children attending the sickle cell clinic in Kampala, Uganda, finding that the KSHV/HHV8 infection was associated with blood transfusion (2.6% risk per unit transfused), low maternal socio-economic status, use of surface water, and a high density, rural household. We are using data and archival plasma samples from the Uganda HIV/AIDS serobehavioral survey (UHSBS) conducted in 2004/05, a nationally-representative population-based sample of people from Uganda. The UHSBS was designed to be statistically adequate to provide robust estimates for key HIV/AIDS indicators nationally and regionally. Participants (19,656) were selected using a two-stage non-stratified cluster sample survey design. Household members aged 15-59 years were invited to answer structured pre-coded interviewer-administered household- and individual- questionnaire about their age, gender, residence, religion, marital-status, attained level of formal education, current occupation, and household assets. A venous blood sample was drawn from participants who consented for HIV, syphilis, HSV2, and HBV serology, which were done using standard commercial assays, and for storage for future tests. Anti-HHV8 antibodies were assayed at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Reference laboratory (HRL), at Entebbe in Uganda using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) based on synthetic peptides encoded by K8.1 and orf65 viral genes obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) herpesvirology laboratory. Epidemiological studies are being conducted to assess small-area variation of HHV8 and to learn about socio-demographical and environmental risk factors for HHV8 and KS. An investigation of the prevalence of HHV8 viremia and associated co-factors is also ongoing.