Kaposi sarcoma incidence in females is nearly four-fold higher in the Lower Rio Grande Valley compared to the Texas average. (2018) - Innis-Whitehouse, Wendy
Highlights: The incidence of Kaposi sarcoma is nearly four-fold higher in females in Hidalgo County Texas compared to the average for females in the State of Texas. An increased incidence of Kaposi sarcoma is found on the United States-Mexican border in the State of Texas. The increased incidence of Kaposi sarcoma in South Texas females has significant health implications: environmental factors, genetic contributions and possible links to diabetes need further investigation. Abstract: The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is located on U.S.-Mexican border with a population that is 90% Hispanic[1] . Comprised of Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties, this region has the highest poverty rate and one of the highest incidences of Type 2 diabetes in the United States[2–4] . Previous studies demonstrated a high prevalence of Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) in the LRGV[5–7] . HHV8 infection has been causally linked to Kaposi Sarcoma (KS)[8] . Here, we retrospectively examine the incidence of KS in the LRGV in a set of HIV-negative Hispanic patients. Strikingly, the incidence of KS was higher in LRGV women compared to the Texas state average (nearly four-fold higher in McAllen-Edinburg-Pharr Metro Statistical Area). This unique profile aligns with the increased HHV8 prevalence in the LRGV, suggesting that HHV8 contributes to a high incidence of HIV-negative KS on the U.S.–Mexican border in Texas.