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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
11:54
Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry
Published on: July 13, 2019
Polyomavirus infection and urothelial carcinoma
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. sanam.loghavi@cshs.org
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|October 5, 2010
Summary
Distinguishing benign polyomavirus infections from urothelial carcinoma cells is challenging in cytology. Histology, however, provides clear differentiation, aiding accurate diagnosis of polyomavirus in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Urothelial Carcinoma Research
- Viral Oncology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Polyomavirus infections are highly prevalent in adults (>80%).
- Polyomaviruses can infect urothelial carcinoma cells, altering their morphology.
- Early detection and accurate diagnosis are crucial for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A case study involving an 80-year-old male with a urine sample for diagnosis.
- Cytological analysis revealed single cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic, glassy nuclei alongside atypical neoplastic cells.
- These enlarged nuclei stained positive for Simian virus 40 (SV40) antigen, being 2-4 times larger than surrounding cells.
Findings:
- Polyomavirus-infected cells exhibit distinct nuclear changes.
- Cytology can make it difficult to differentiate infected cells from malignant urothelial cells.
- Histological examination confirmed the presence of polyomavirus and enabled clear distinction from malignancy.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges of polyomavirus in cytological samples.
- Emphasizes the importance of histological correlation for definitive diagnosis.
- Informs diagnostic protocols for urothelial carcinoma with suspected viral co-infection.
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