Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry
11:54

Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry

Published on: July 13, 2019

8.3K

BK and JC virus: a review

Michelle Pinto1, Simon Dobson

  • 1Division of Infectious and Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.

The Journal of Infection
|October 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

BK and JC viruses are common human polyomaviruses. While typically causing mild childhood illness, they can lead to severe diseases like nephropathy and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Human Pathogens

Background:

  • Polyomaviruses are ubiquitous, species-specific viruses.
  • BK and JC viruses are the most well-known human polyomaviruses, identified in the 1970s.
  • Newer polyomaviruses, including KI, WU, and Merkel cell polyomaviruses, have been identified recently.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the virology, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of BK and JC viruses.
  • To discuss diagnostic and treatment options for BK and JC virus infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of polyomavirus research.
  • Analysis of clinical case studies and epidemiological data.

Main Results:

  • Most individuals are exposed to BK and JC viruses in childhood with mild symptoms.
  • Reactivation or acquisition in immunocompromised hosts can lead to significant clinical disease.
  • BK virus is primarily associated with renal diseases, while JC virus is linked to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and potential neoplasms.

Conclusions:

  • BK and JC viruses represent significant human pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised populations.
  • Understanding their pathogenesis is crucial for effective diagnosis and management.
  • Further research into novel polyomaviruses and their clinical impact is warranted.
Keywords:
BK VirusJC VirusPolyomavirus

More Related Videos

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses12:20

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

22.2K
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

10.4K

Related Concept Videos

What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
109.9K
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
2.9K
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
43.1K
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
108
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion...
28
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
12.3K