Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

DNA Viral Size Fraction Metagenomics for Human Stool Samples
05:15

DNA Viral Size Fraction Metagenomics for Human Stool Samples

Published on: March 24, 2026

Polyomavirus shedding in the stool of healthy adults

John A Vanchiere1, Suhaib Abudayyeh, Christina M Copeland

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. jvanch@lsuhsc.edu

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Polyomaviruses like BK virus and JC virus are frequently shed in the stool of healthy adults, though at lower rates than in children. This suggests the gut may harbor these viruses and transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Polyomaviruses, including BK virus (BKV) and simian virus 40 (SV40), have been detected in a significant proportion of hospitalized children's stool samples.
  • The prevalence and shedding patterns of polyomaviruses in healthy adults remain less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and frequency of polyomavirus shedding in stool specimens from healthy adults.
  • To compare the shedding rate in adults with previously reported rates in children.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze single stool specimens from 110 healthy adults.
  • Detected polyomaviruses included BK virus (BKV), JC virus (JCV), and SV40.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 18.2% of adult stool samples tested positive for human polyomaviruses.
  • Specific findings included BKV (9%), JCV (9%), SV40 (1%), and a co-infection of JCV and SV40 (1%).
  • Polyomavirus shedding in non-immunocompromised adults (18.1%) was significantly lower than in hospitalized children (46%).

Conclusions:

  • The gastrointestinal tract is a potential site for polyomavirus persistence in humans.
  • Findings support the hypothesis of a fecal-oral transmission route for polyomaviruses.

More Related Videos

Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses11:29

Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses

Published on: December 3, 2011

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry11:54

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry

Published on: July 13, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...