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Updated: May 21, 2026

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
13:45

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection

Published on: February 7, 2019

Novel human polyomaviruses, Merkel cell polyomavirus and human polyomavirus 9, in Japanese chronic lymphocytic

Masayuki Imajoh1, Yumiko Hashida, Ayuko Taniguchi

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Infection, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan.

Journal of Hematology & Oncology
|June 5, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA was detected in 33.3% of Japanese chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cases. This study is the first to find MCPyV in Japanese CLL patients, suggesting a potential Asian viral group.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is rare in Japan but common in Western countries.
  • Previous studies suggest a link between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and CLL in the US and Germany.
  • No data on MCPyV in Japanese CLL cases were previously available.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and DNA loads of MCPyV and human polyomavirus 9 (HPyV9) in Japanese CLL patients.
  • To explore the potential etiological association between these viruses and CLL in Japan.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect viral DNA.
  • Mutational analysis of the large T (LT) gene and DNA sequence analysis of the small T (ST) and partial LT genes were performed.
  • Viral DNA loads were quantified per cell.

Main Results:

  • MCPyV DNA was detected in 33.3% (9/27) of Japanese CLL cases.
  • MCPyV DNA loads were low, ranging from 0.000017 to 0.0012 copies per cell.
  • All cases were negative for HPyV9. A Japanese MCPyV isolate (CLL-JK) showed genetic differences from North American isolates.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of MCPyV presence in Japanese CLL cases.
  • MCPyV and HPyV9 are unlikely to be major contributors to CLL development in most Japanese patients.
  • The identified Japanese MCPyV may represent an Asian group, requiring further research into its pathogenicity.

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