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Lymphotropic polyomavirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus in patients infected with HIV or hepatitis B or C virus

Bahman Abedi Kiasari1, Amir Hossein Alipour1,2, Negar Hemmati3

  • 1Microbiology and Immunology Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

New Microbes and New Infections
|September 18, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study investigated the prevalence of human polyomaviruses, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) and Lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV), in individuals with chronic viral infections. MCV was found in 8.52% of participants, notably higher in HIV-positive individuals, while LPV was rare.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human polyomaviruses, including Lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), are increasingly recognized for their pathogenic potential.
  • LPV has been linked to central nervous system (CNS) diseases, and MCV is associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
  • Individuals with compromised immunity, particularly from chronic viral infections, may be at higher risk for polyomavirus-associated conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of LPV and MCV in individuals with chronic viral infections, such as HIV, HBV, and HCV.
  • To investigate the potential association between these polyomaviruses and immunocompromised states.
  • To characterize the genetic diversity of detected MCV and LPV strains.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 340 serum specimens from HIV, HBV, and HCV PCR-positive and negative individuals using PCR to detect LPV and MCV DNA.
  • Validation of viral presence and identity through DNA sequencing.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to compare detected viral strains with known references.

Main Results:

  • Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) DNA was detected in 8.52% of the total cohort, with a significantly higher prevalence (26.4%) observed in HIV-positive individuals.
  • Lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV) was detected in only one HIV-positive patient, and no co-infections of MCV and LPV were found.
  • Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genetic similarity of MCV strains to known references and showed high identity (99%) of the LPV sequence to LPV-K38.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides crucial data on the prevalence of MCV and LPV in immunocompromised individuals with chronic viral infections.
  • The findings suggest a potential association between MCV and compromised immune status, warranting further investigation.
  • Comprehensive research is needed to fully understand the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical significance of these polyomaviruses in human populations.
Keywords:
Chronic viral infectionsCompromised immunityLymphotropic polyomavirusMerkel cell polyomavirus

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