JC virus DNA sequences are frequently present in the human upper and lower gastrointestinal tract

L Ricciardiello ¹, L Laghi , P Ramamirtham

⁰Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, and San Diego Veteran Affairs Medical Center, La Jolla, California 92093-0688, USA.

Gastroenterology +

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October 31, 2000

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

JC virus (JCV) DNA is highly prevalent in the human gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated JCV presence in upper and lower GI tissues, finding widespread infection in immunocompetent individuals.

Area Of Science

Virology
Gastroenterology
Oncology

Background

JC virus (JCV), a human polyomavirus, is linked to cancer via its T antigen (TAg).
JCV-TAg presence was previously confirmed in colorectal cancers and adjacent tissues.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is hypothesized as a potential reservoir for JCV transmission.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the prevalence of JCV in the human upper and lower GI tract.
To determine if the GI tract serves as a reservoir for JCV.
To identify JCV quasispecies within GI tissues.

Main Methods

DNA extraction from 129 normal GI tissue samples from 33 patients.
Topoisomerase I-assisted PCR with exact and degenerate primers for JCV detection.
Nested PCR, Southern blot, SSCP, and sequencing for confirmation and quasispecies analysis.

Main Results

JCV sequences detected in 75.8% of patients across upper and lower GI samples.
Degenerate primers with topoisomerase I significantly increased detection rates (58.9% vs. 27.9%).
SSCP and sequencing confirmed viral quasispecies and TAg authenticity.

Conclusions

JCV DNA sequences are highly prevalent in the human upper and lower GI tracts.
The findings support the GI tract as a reservoir for JCV in immunocompetent individuals.
This prevalence highlights the importance of considering JCV in GI health and disease.

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