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JC Virus Seroprevalence and JCVAb Index in Polish Multiple Sclerosis Treatment-Naïve Patients

Robert Bonek1,2, Wojciech Guenter3, Robert Jałowiński4

  • 1Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroimmunology, Regional Specialist Hospital, 86-300 Grudziadz, Poland.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|December 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

In Poland, over 65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have John Cunningham virus (JCV) antibodies, increasing the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) with new MS treatments. A majority of these patients fall into a high-risk category for PML.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Newer multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments carry a risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
  • John Cunningham virus (JCV) infection, indicated by anti-JCV antibodies (anti-JCVAb) and their index (AI), is a primary risk factor for developing PML.
  • Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for anti-JCVAb in treatment-naïve MS patients is crucial for risk stratification and treatment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of anti-JCVAb and the JCVAb index (AI) in treatment-naïve Polish MS patients.
  • To investigate correlations between anti-JCVAb seropositivity, AI, and demographic/clinical characteristics.
  • To assess the implications of these findings for MS treatment strategies in Poland.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted.
  • 665 treatment-naïve Polish MS patients were enrolled.
  • Seroprevalence and AI of anti-JCVAb were measured and analyzed against demographic and clinical data.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of anti-JCVAb in Polish MS patients was 65.3%.
  • Among seropositive patients, 63.1% had an AI >1.5, indicating a high-risk category.
  • Anti-JCVAb seroprevalence increased with age but showed no significant association with other demographic or clinical factors. No correlations were found between AI and demographic/clinical data.

Conclusions:

  • Poland exhibits one of the highest reported seroprevalences of anti-JCVAb among treatment-naïve MS patients in Europe.
  • A significant majority of seropositive patients are in a high-risk category for PML development.
  • Individualized MS treatment strategies are necessary to ensure patient safety, considering the high prevalence of anti-JCVAb.
Keywords:
John Cunningham virusanti-JCV antibodyantibody indexmultiple sclerosisseroprevalence

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