PURPOSE: Before AIDS, endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was noted to occur in volcanic areas and was postulated to result from dirt chronically embedded in the skin of the lower extremities. The primary cause of all KS types is KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection, but cofactors contribute to the neoplasia. We investigated whether residential exposure to volcanic or related soils was associated with the risk of classic Kaposi sarcoma (cKS) in Sicily. METHODS: Risk of incident cKS (N=141) compared with population-based KSHV seropositive controls (N=123) was estimated for residential exposure to four types of soil, categorized with maps from the European Soil Database and direct surveying. Questionnaire data provided covariates. RESULTS: Residents in communities high in luvisols were approximately 2.7 times more likely to have cKS than those in communities with no luvisols. Risk was not specific for cKS on the limbs, but it was elevated approximately four- to five-fold with frequent bathing or tap water drinking in communities with high luvisols. Risk was unrelated to communities high in andosols, tephra, or clay soils. CONCLUSIONS: Iron and alumino-silicate clay, major components of luvisols, may increase cKS risk, but formal investigation and consideration of other soil types and exposures are needed.
PURPOSE: Before AIDS, endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was noted to occur in volcanic areas and was postulated to result from dirt chronically embedded in the skin of the lower extremities. The primary cause of all KS types is KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection, but cofactors contribute to the neoplasia. We investigated whether residential exposure to volcanic or related soils was associated with the risk of classic Kaposi sarcoma (cKS) in Sicily. METHODS: Risk of incident cKS (N=141) compared with population-based KSHV seropositive controls (N=123) was estimated for residential exposure to four types of soil, categorized with maps from the European Soil Database and direct surveying. Questionnaire data provided covariates. RESULTS: Residents in communities high in luvisols were approximately 2.7 times more likely to have cKS than those in communities with no luvisols. Risk was not specific for cKS on the limbs, but it was elevated approximately four- to five-fold with frequent bathing or tapwater drinking in communities with high luvisols. Risk was unrelated to communities high in andosols, tephra, or clay soils. CONCLUSIONS:Iron and alumino-silicate clay, major components of luvisols, may increase cKS risk, but formal investigation and consideration of other soil types and exposures are needed.
Authors: F Vitale; D V Briffa; D Whitby; I Maida; A Grochowska; A Levin; N Romano; J J Goedert Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 2001-02-15 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: T Simonart; C Degraef; G Andrei; R Mosselmans; P Hermans; J P Van Vooren; J C Noel; J R Boelaert; R Snoeck; M Heenen Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 8.551
Authors: James J Goedert; Francesco Vitale; Carmela Lauria; Diego Serraino; Mario Tamburini; Maurizio Montella; Angelo Messina; Elizabeth E Brown; Giovanni Rezza; Lorenzo Gafà; Nino Romano Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2002-11-20 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Lesley A Anderson; Carmela Lauria; Nino Romano; Elizabeth E Brown; Denise Whitby; Barry I Graubard; Yan Li; Angelo Messina; Lorenzo Gafà; Francesco Vitale; James J Goedert Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Benon Biryahwaho; Sheila C Dollard; Ruth M Pfeiffer; Fatma M Shebl; Stella Munuo; Minal M Amin; Wolfgang Hladik; Ruth Parsons; Sam M Mbulaiteye Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2010-11-01 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Kristen Stolka; Paul Ndom; Jennifer Hemingway-Foday; Jeniffer Iriondo-Perez; Wendell Miley; Nazzarena Labo; Jennifer Stella; Mahamat Abassora; Godfrey Woelk; Robin Ryder; Denise Whitby; Jennifer S Smith Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Date: 2014-03-13 Impact factor: 2.984
Authors: James J Goedert; Giuseppe Calamusa; Carmelo Dazzi; Anna Perna; Colleen Pelser; Lesley A Anderson; Camille Madsen; Liliana R Preiss; Matt Airola; Barry I Graubard; Angelo Messina; Carmela Lauria; Nino Romano Journal: Infect Agent Cancer Date: 2010-12-02 Impact factor: 2.965