News Release

High prevalence of infection with three recently discovered human polyomaviruses

Peer-Reviewed Publication

PLOS

A majority of the human population has been exposed to newly discovered KI (KIV), WU (WUV), and Merkel cell (MCV) human polyomaviruses, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado. Published March 27 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, the results, based on antibody measurements in serum samples, also suggest that infection with these viruses occurs early in childhood.

For over 30 years, scientists have known about two human polyomaviruses, BKV and JCV. Within the past two years, however, three new viruses have been described that belong to this same virus family. KIV and WUV were detected in nasal secretions, and may be respiratory viruses. MCV was discovered in Merkel Cell carcinomas, a rare skin cancer. Further studies are needed to determine what fraction of the human population has been infected with these viruses and when initial exposure occurs.

In this study, Kean and colleagues tested over 2220 anonymous donor blood samples (more than1500 adult and more than 700 pediatric [< 21 years of age]) They measured antibodies that reacted with specific viral proteins. In addition to KIV, WUV, MCV, BKV, and JCV, two monkey polyomaviruses, SV40 and lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV), were also studied. Antibodies to LPV were detected in a fraction of people (15%), confirming previous studies suggesting that a relative of this virus may infect humans. The majority of antibodies against SV40 proteins may be attributed to the immune response to BKV. The diseases caused by these viruses remain to be fully described.

The samples and results reported are likely representative of infection in the Denver metropolitan area where they were collected. Future studies will be important to help determine differences in the prevalence of these infections in other geographic areas.

###

PLEASE ADD THIS LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1000363 (link will go live upon embargo lift)

CITATION: Kean JM, Rao S, Wang M, Garcea RL (2009) Seroepidemiology of Human Polyomaviruses. PLoS Pathog 5(3): e1000363. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000363

Disclaimer

This press release refers to an upcoming article in PLoS Pathogens. The release is provided by the article authors and/or their institutions. Any opinions expressed in these releases or articles are the personal views of the journal staff and/or article contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of PLoS. PLoS expressly disclaims any and all warranties and liability in connection with the information found in the releases and articles and your use of such information.

About PLoS Pathogens

PLoS Pathogens (www.plospathogens.org) publishes outstanding original articles that significantly advance the understanding of pathogens and how they interact with their host organisms. All works published in PLoS Pathogens are open access. Everything is immediately available subject only to the condition that the original authorship and source are properly attributed. Copyright is retained by the authors. The Public Library of Science uses the Creative Commons Attribution License.

About the Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit organization of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. For more information, visit http://www.plos.org.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.