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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
Prevalence of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Tehran: An Age-Specific Serological Study
Rouhollah Vahabpour1, Mohammad Reza Aghasadeghi2, Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri1
1Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Background:
Several new types of polyomavirus have been discovered in recent years mainly because of the recent state-of-the-art detection technologies. Among the polyomaviruses, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has attracted the most attention because of its possible role in the etiology of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but lethal form of skin cancer.
Objectives:
This study aimed to determine age-specific seroprevalence of MCPyV in Tehran.
Patients And Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, we collected 440 serum samples from healthy individuals 2 to 78 years of age who visited the Pasteur Institute's clinic in Tehran, Iran, using a convenience sampling strategy. We developed a virus-like particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that uses VP1, the major capsid protein of MCPyV, to detect and quantitate serum antibodies to MCPyV. We compared the prevalence of MCPyV between males and females and across eight age groups.
Results:
A total of 255 (57.9%) of the serum samples were MCPyV positive. The seroprevalence in children under 10 years of age was 25%. The seroprevalence increased to 56% over the next decade of life (10 - 19 years of age). The seroprevalence rate in males and females was 56.1% and 59.7% respectively, and a binary logistic regression showed no significant difference between males and females (P = 0.77). However, the prevalence of MCPyV increased with age (P = 0.012).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that human exposure to MCPyV occurs throughout life. The MCPyV antibody levels remained high among older adults in our population, consistent with reports from other populations.
Insights
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) exposure is common throughout life, with seroprevalence increasing with age. This study in Tehran found over half of individuals had MCPyV antibodies, particularly in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Recent advancements in detection technologies have identified novel polyomaviruses.
- Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a significant focus due to its potential link to Merkel cell carcinoma.
- MCPyV is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-specific seroprevalence of MCPyV in Tehran, Iran.
- To assess MCPyV antibody levels across different age groups and genders.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 440 healthy individuals aged 2-78 years.
- Development of a VP1-based virus-like particle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for MCPyV antibody detection.
- Comparison of MCPyV prevalence between sexes and across eight age strata.
Main Results:
- Overall MCPyV seroprevalence was 57.9% (255/440 individuals).
- Seroprevalence was 25% in children under 10, rising to 56% in those aged 10-19.
- MCPyV prevalence significantly increased with age (P=0.012), with no significant gender difference (P=0.77).
Conclusions:
- Human exposure to MCPyV is a lifelong process.
- Sustained high MCPyV antibody levels were observed in older adults in the Tehran population.
- Findings align with previous studies on MCPyV seroprevalence in other global populations.
