Anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody prevalence in the JCV Epidemiology in MS (JEMS) trial
C Bozic1, M Subramanyam, S Richman
1Biogen Idec Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA.
Background And Purpose:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by reactivation of JC virus (JCV) infection due to combined host and viral factors. Anti-JCV antibodies provide a means to assess JCV exposure and stratify PML risk. The reported seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies varies from 39% to 91% depending on assay methodology and population studied. A two-step anti-JCV antibody assay (STRATIFY JCV™; Focus Diagnostics, Cypress, CA, USA) detected anti-JCV antibodies in approximately 55% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study describes the prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in a large, multinational MS population.
Methods:
This cross-sectional epidemiology study was designed to enroll a minimum of 2000 patients with an MS diagnosis of any type, irrespective of treatment, from Europe, Canada and Australia. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence was determined by STRATIFY JCV; the effects of demographic and disease characteristics were evaluated.
Results:
A total of 7724 patients from 10 countries participated in the study. Overall anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.1% (95% confidence interval 56.0%-58.2%). Seroprevalence was significantly associated with increasing age, gender and country of current residence (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in anti-JCV antibody prevalence were associated with MS disease characteristics, including duration and type of MS and number and duration of MS therapies.
Conclusions:
Overall seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in MS patients from Europe, Canada and Australia was consistent with previous studies using the STRATIFY JCV assay. Anti-JCV prevalence differed significantly by age, gender and country, but no geographical pattern was evident. Disease and treatment type were not associated with differences in anti-JCV antibody status.
Insights
The prevalence of anti-JC virus (JCV) antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients across Europe, Canada, and Australia is 57.1%. Antibody status varied by age, gender, and country, but not by MS disease characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a serious opportunistic infection caused by JC virus (JCV) reactivation.
- Anti-JCV antibodies indicate prior JCV exposure and are used to assess PML risk, particularly in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- Previous studies show variable anti-JCV antibody seroprevalence (39%-91%) based on assay and population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in a large, multinational cohort of MS patients.
- To evaluate the association between anti-JCV antibody status and demographic/disease characteristics in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional epidemiological study enrolled 7724 MS patients from 10 countries (Europe, Canada, Australia).
- Anti-JCV antibody prevalence was measured using the STRATIFY JCV assay.
- Statistical analysis assessed the impact of age, gender, country, MS type, duration, and treatment on seroprevalence.
Main Results:
- Overall anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.1% (95% CI: 56.0%-58.2%).
- Seroprevalence significantly correlated with increasing age, gender, and country of residence (P < 0.0001).
- No significant association was found between anti-JCV antibody status and MS disease characteristics (duration, type) or treatment history.
Conclusions:
- The seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in this multinational MS cohort aligns with prior findings using the STRATIFY JCV assay.
- Anti-JCV antibody prevalence is influenced by demographic factors (age, gender, country) but not by MS disease specifics.
- These findings contribute to understanding JCV exposure in MS populations and refining PML risk stratification.
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