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The polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV: a retrospective quantitative analysis in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem
Nasim Motamedi1, Helga Mairhofer, Hans Nitschko
1Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Department of Virology, Pettenkoferstr, 9a, Munich D-80336, Germany. motamedi@mvp.uni-muenchen.de
Background:
The polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV have been detected in various sample types including feces indicating pathogenicity in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. However, quantitative viral load data from other simultaneously collected sample types are missing. As a consequence, primary replication in the GI system cannot be differentiated from swallowed virus from the respiratory tract. Here we present a retrospective quantitative longitudinal analysis in simultaneously harvested specimens from different organ sites of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This allows the definition of sample types where deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection can be expected and, as a consequence, the identification of their primary replication site.
Findings:
Viral DNA loads from 37 patients undergoing HSCT were quantified in respiratory tract secretions (RTS), stool and urine samples as well as in leukocytes (n = 449). Leukocyte-associated virus could not be found. WUPyV was found in feces, RTS and urine samples of an infant, while KIPyV was repeatedly detected in RTS and stool samples of 4 adult patients.RTS and stool samples were matched to determine the viral load difference showing a mean difference of 2.3 log copies/ml (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The data collected in this study suggest that virus detection in the GI tract results from swallowed virus from the respiratory tract (RT). We conclude that shedding from the RT should be ruled out before viral DNA detection in the feces can be correlated to GI symptoms.
Insights
Human polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV detected in stool likely originate from the respiratory tract (RT). Viral DNA in feces is not indicative of gastrointestinal (GI) infection unless RT shedding is ruled out.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV are detected in feces, suggesting gastrointestinal (GI) pathogenicity.
- Quantitative data differentiating GI replication from respiratory tract (RT) contamination is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a quantitative longitudinal analysis of WUPyV and KIPyV DNA loads in simultaneous specimens from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients.
- To identify the primary replication site of these polyomaviruses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of viral DNA loads in respiratory tract secretions (RTS), stool, urine, and leukocytes from 37 HSCT patients.
- Quantitative PCR was used to measure viral DNA loads.
Main Results:
- WUPyV was detected in feces, RTS, and urine of an infant.
- KIPyV was detected in RTS and stool of 4 adult patients; no leukocyte-associated virus was found.
- Significantly higher viral loads were observed in RTS compared to stool (mean difference of 2.3 log copies/ml, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Virus detection in the GI tract is likely due to swallowing of virus from the RT.
- RTS shedding must be excluded before fecal polyomavirus DNA detection can be linked to GI symptoms.
