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Human polyomaviruses in disease and cancer
1Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska R8:01, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. tina.dalianis@ki.se
Virology
|January 30, 2013
Summary
Human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) are common, often asymptomatic infections. While most HPyVs are not linked to disease, some cause serious conditions in immunocompromised individuals, including cancers.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- The human polyomavirus (HPyV) family has expanded to 10 members, with widespread subclinical infections in the general population.
- HPyVs are typically asymptomatic but can cause severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on the expanding family of human polyomaviruses.
- To summarize the association of HPyVs with human diseases and cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on human polyomaviruses.
- Summarization of serological studies and clinical case reports.
Main Results:
- BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV) are associated with significant diseases in transplant recipients and immunocompromised patients.
- Other HPyVs like KI virus (KIPyV), WU virus (WUPyV), HPyV6, HPyV7, HPyV9, and MWPyV have been identified in various body sites but not definitively linked to disease.
- Trichodysplasia spinulosa virus (TSPyV) is linked to a rare skin disease in transplant patients, and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is uniquely associated with Merkel cell carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- The discovery of novel HPyVs has renewed interest in their pathogenic potential.
- Understanding HPyV associations with disease and cancer is crucial for public health and clinical management.
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