BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer associated with immunosuppression and the integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA into the tumor cell genome. Little is known about the natural history of MCPyV infection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of MCPyV, BK and JC polyomaviruses in serum and urine from immunosuppressed kidney transplant patients (KTx) and a control group of normal volunteers. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) was used to assess MCPyV, BKV and JCV viral load in urine and serum samples collected from normal donors (Group A), prospectively enrolled KTx patients (Group B) and from KTx with documented BK reactivation and/or nephropathy (Group C). RESULTS: Low levels of MCPyV viruria was seen in 15% of the subjects in Group A, 30% of Group B, and was not detected in Group C. No individuals in the study developed MCPyV viremia. BK viruria was seen in 5% of Group A, 30% of Group B, and 100% of Group C. Consistent with previous reports, the mean BKV urinary load was significantly higher in immunosuppressed patients compared to non-immunosuppressed controls and also higher in urine compared to serum samples. CONCLUSIONS: Like BKV and JCV, MCPyV is likely a common infection in adult humans. Low level shedding of MCPyV in urine was similar in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients to non-immunosuppressed subjects. However, MCPyV was not detected and JCV was infrequent in samples from KTx patients with clinical BKV reactivation.
BACKGROUND:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer associated with immunosuppression and the integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA into the tumor cell genome. Little is known about the natural history of MCPyV infection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of MCPyV, BK and JC polyomaviruses in serum and urine from immunosuppressed kidney transplant patients (KTx) and a control group of normal volunteers. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) was used to assess MCPyV, BKV and JCV viral load in urine and serum samples collected from normal donors (Group A), prospectively enrolled KTxpatients (Group B) and from KTx with documented BK reactivation and/or nephropathy (Group C). RESULTS: Low levels of MCPyV viruria was seen in 15% of the subjects in Group A, 30% of Group B, and was not detected in Group C. No individuals in the study developed MCPyV viremia. BK viruria was seen in 5% of Group A, 30% of Group B, and 100% of Group C. Consistent with previous reports, the mean BKV urinary load was significantly higher in immunosuppressed patients compared to non-immunosuppressed controls and also higher in urine compared to serum samples. CONCLUSIONS: Like BKV and JCV, MCPyV is likely a common infection in adult humans. Low level shedding of MCPyV in urine was similar in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients to non-immunosuppressed subjects. However, MCPyV was not detected and JCV was infrequent in samples from KTxpatients with clinical BKV reactivation.
Authors: Hans H Hirsch; Daniel C Brennan; Cinthia B Drachenberg; Fabrizio Ginevri; Jennifer Gordon; Ajit P Limaye; Michael J Mihatsch; Volker Nickeleit; Emilio Ramos; Parmjeet Randhawa; Ron Shapiro; Juerg Steiger; Manikkam Suthanthiran; Jennifer Trofe Journal: Transplantation Date: 2005-05-27 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Aaron Milstone; Regis A Vilchez; Xochi Geiger; Agnes B Fogo; Janet S Butel; Stephen Dummer Journal: Transplantation Date: 2004-04-15 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Ahmad Kassem; Anja Schöpflin; Carlos Diaz; Wolfgang Weyers; Elmar Stickeler; Martin Werner; Axel Zur Hausen Journal: Cancer Res Date: 2008-07-01 Impact factor: 12.701
Authors: Barry I Freedman; Amy L Kistler; Peter Skewes-Cox; Don Ganem; Mitzie Spainhour; Jolyn Turner; Jasmin Divers; Carl D Langefeld; Mariana Murea; Pamela J Hicks; Ashok K Hemal; James A Snipes; Lihong Zhao; Johanna R Abend; Douglas S Lyles; Lijun Ma; Karl L Skorecki Journal: Nephrol Dial Transplant Date: 2018-11-01 Impact factor: 5.992
Authors: Diana V Pastrana; Upasana Ray; Thomas G Magaldi; Rachel M Schowalter; Nicolas Çuburu; Christopher B Buck Journal: J Virol Date: 2013-07-10 Impact factor: 5.103