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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
Prevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus among Swiss Merkel cell carcinoma patients
Joanna Mangana1, Piotr Dziunycz, Katrin Kerl
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Background:
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm which shares structural and immunohistochemical features with neuroectodermally derived cells. One hypothesis claims that it arises from Merkel cells, highly innervated neuroendocrine cells involved in mechanoreception in the skin. The incidence rate of this cancer increases with age and sun exposure as well as after immunosuppression. Recently, the clonal integration of a newly identified polyomavirus called Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was reported in up to 80% of MCC tissue. Here we report the incidence rate of MCPyV in MCC patients in Switzerland.
Methods:
We performed polymerase chain reaction in a collection of 32 samples obtained from pathology institutes around Switzerland. We used three different published primer sets. As control groups we used 7 squamous cell carcinoma samples and 11 normal skin samples.
Conclusions:
We detected viral DNA in 20 out of 30 cases of MCC and in 0 out of 19 control samples. The presence of viral DNA in 66.6% of our MCC tissue specimens confirms the high prevalence of MCPyV in MCC patients described in American, German, French and Hungarian patient collections.
Insights
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). This study found MCPyV DNA in 66.6% of Swiss MCC cases, confirming its high prevalence in this cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer.
- MCC incidence rises with age, sun exposure, and immunosuppression.
- Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a newly identified virus associated with MCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence rate of MCPyV in Swiss MCC patients.
- To investigate the association between MCPyV and MCC in Switzerland.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect viral DNA.
- 32 MCC tissue samples from Switzerland were analyzed.
- Control groups included 7 squamous cell carcinoma and 11 normal skin samples.
Main Results:
- MCPyV DNA was detected in 20 out of 30 MCC cases (66.6%).
- No viral DNA was found in 19 control samples (0%).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a high prevalence of MCPyV in Swiss MCC patients.
- These findings align with previous reports from other countries, supporting MCPyV's role in MCC.
