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Molecular evidence of simian virus 40 infections in children
J S Butel1, A S Arrington, C Wong
1Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. jbutel@bcm.tmc.edu
Abstract:
Recent studies have detected simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA in certain human tumors and normal tissues. The significance of human infections by SV40, which was first discovered as a contaminant of poliovirus vaccines used between 1955 and 1963, remains unknown. The occurrence of SV40 infections in unselected hospitalized children was evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence analyses were done on archival tissue specimens from patients positive for SV40 neutralizing antibody. SV40 DNA was identified in samples from 4 of 20 children (1 Wilms' tumor, 3 transplanted kidney samples). Sequence variation among SV40 regulatory regions ruled out laboratory contamination of specimens. This study shows the presence of SV40 infections in pediatric patients born after 1982.
Insights
Simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA has been found in children, including those with Wilms' tumor and kidney transplants. This indicates SV40 infections are present in pediatric patients born after 1982.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA has been detected in human tumors and tissues.
- SV40 was a contaminant in poliovirus vaccines administered between 1955 and 1963.
- The implications of SV40 human infections remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of SV40 infections in hospitalized children.
- To investigate the presence of SV40 DNA in pediatric patient samples.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of archival tissue specimens from children with SV40 neutralizing antibodies.
- Utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.
- Examined SV40 regulatory regions to exclude contamination.
Main Results:
- SV40 DNA was identified in 4 out of 20 pediatric patients.
- Detected SV40 DNA in one case of Wilms' tumor.
- Found SV40 DNA in three cases of transplanted kidney samples.
- Sequence variations confirmed the authenticity of SV40 findings, ruling out lab contamination.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms SV40 infections in pediatric patients born after 1982.
- The findings highlight the continued presence of SV40 in the pediatric population.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance of SV40 in children.