Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
12:22

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation

Published on: April 2, 2012

JC virus remains latent in peripheral blood B lymphocytes but replicates actively in urine from AIDS patients

M E Lafon1, H Dutronc, V Dubois

  • 1Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut Fédératif de Recherches en Pathologies Infectieuses, Université Bordeaux 2, France. Marie-Edith.Lafon@viro.U-Bordeaux2.fr

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 2, 1998
PubMed

Insights

John Cunningham virus (JCV) is more prevalent in AIDS patients

Area of Science:

  • Neurovirology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • John Cunningham virus (JCV) is hypothesized to reach the central nervous system via the bloodstream.
  • Understanding JCV's presence and activity in peripheral blood is crucial for comprehending its pathogenesis in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of latent or reactivated JCV in the peripheral blood of patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
  • To compare JCV detection rates in AIDS patients versus human immunodeficiency virus-negative blood donors.

Main Methods:

  • Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were employed to detect JCV T DNA and VP1 mRNAs (indicating replication).
  • Blood leukocytes, plasma, and urine samples from 50 AIDS patients and plasma and B lymphocytes from 60 AIDS patients were analyzed.
  • Peripheral blood from 88 HIV-negative donors served as a control group.

Main Results:

  • JCV DNA was detected in 31.8% of AIDS patients' blood, significantly higher than the 2.3% in blood donors (P < .001).
  • JCV DNA was found in 56% of urine samples from AIDS patients.
  • Viral replication (VP1 mRNAs) was detected in the blood of only one AIDS patient, but was present in 38% of DNA-positive urine samples and 10 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Conclusions:

  • JCV is significantly more frequent in the peripheral blood of AIDS patients compared to healthy controls.
  • In most cases within the blood, JCV appears to be in a latent state.
  • Active JCV replication is primarily observed in urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AIDS patients, particularly those with neurological complications.

More Related Videos

Detection of the Genome and Transcripts of a Persistent DNA Virus in Neuronal Tissues by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization Combined with Immunostaining13:22

Detection of the Genome and Transcripts of a Persistent DNA Virus in Neuronal Tissues by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization Combined with Immunostaining

Published on: January 23, 2014

Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2r&#947;null (hu-NSG) Mouse Model for HIV Replication and Latency Studies07:10

Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (hu-NSG) Mouse Model for HIV Replication and Latency Studies

Published on: January 7, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...