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Type O blood group associates with higher anti-JC polyomavirus antibody levels

Pia Frenken1, Hans-Peter Hartung2, Tomas Olsson3

  • 1Institute for Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Brain and Behavior
|July 22, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Individuals with blood group O have higher anti-JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) antibody levels, potentially increasing the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in multiple sclerosis patients. Further research is needed to confirm this association for PML risk prediction.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with certain therapies face an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
  • High levels of anti-JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) antibodies in the blood are a known risk factor for developing PML in MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between ABO blood group type and anti-JCPyV antibody levels.
  • To determine if blood group O influences the risk of developing PML in individuals with MS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study involving 62 PML patients and 64 MS controls.
  • Quantification of anti-JCPyV antibody levels using ELISA.
  • Characterization of ABO blood group antigens from blood samples.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with blood group O exhibited significantly higher anti-JCPyV antibody levels compared to other blood groups (p = .005).
  • A trend, though not statistically significant, indicated a higher prevalence of blood group O among PML patients (47%) compared to MS controls (36%).
  • No association was found between blood group and antibodies against the related BK virus.

Conclusions:

  • The ABO blood group O antigen is associated with elevated anti-JCPyV antibody titers.
  • Blood group O may play a role in the risk of developing PML, particularly in the context of MS immunotherapy.
  • Larger studies are recommended to explore the utility of ABO blood group as a predictive marker for PML risk.
Keywords:
ABO blood groupPMLnatalizumabpolyomavirusprogressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

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