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Smoking is not associated with higher prevalence of JC virus in MS patients

Michael Auer1, Gabriel Bsteh2, Harald Hegen2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. michael.auer@i-med.ac.at.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|February 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Smoking does not increase the risk of John Cunningham virus (JCV) infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This finding suggests smoking status is not a reliable factor for stratifying progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) risk in MS patients undergoing natalizumab treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • John Cunningham virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe neurological condition.
  • PML risk is elevated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab.
  • Current risk stratification relies primarily on the JCV antibody index, lacking additional predictive factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential association between smoking status and JCV infection in MS patients.
  • To determine if smoking could serve as a risk factor for JCV seroconversion or elevated JCV antibody index.
  • To evaluate the utility of smoking status in refining PML risk stratification for natalizumab-treated MS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 200 MS patients from the Medical University of Innsbruck.
  • Screening of patient database for smoking status (current and former smokers) and anti-JCV antibody index.
  • Anti-JCV antibody index determined by two-step ELISA.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant association was found between smoking status (current or former) and JCV infection.
  • Smoking status did not correlate with the level of anti-JCV antibody index.
  • The study cohort comprised 36% current smokers and 6% former smokers.

Conclusions:

  • Smoking does not appear to be a risk factor for JCV infection in multiple sclerosis patients.
  • Smoking status is not a suitable marker for stratifying PML risk in MS patients treated with natalizumab.
  • Further research may be needed to identify additional reliable biomarkers for PML risk stratification.
Keywords:
JCVMultiple sclerosisNatalizumabProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathySmoking

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