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BACKGROUND The human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Subclinical infection with JCV occurs in 85–90% of the population worldwide. The virus usually remains latent but can reactivate under immunosuppressive conditions, resulting in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. JCV is oncogenic in experimental animals and is associated with human brain tumors. JCV is found in normal mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, and some colon carcinomas express the oncogenic JCV T‐antigen protein. The objective of this study was to examine the presence of JCV DNA sequences and JCV protein expression in normal and malignant human esophageal tissues. METHODS The authors examined the presence of JCV DNA sequences and protein expression in normal and malignant human esophageal tissues. Seventy well characterized biopsy specimens from patients with a spectrum of esophageal disorders were studied by immunohistochemistry, and 18 specimens were analyzed further by polymerase chain reaction amplification. RESULTS JC viral DNA was isolated from 11 of 13 normal esophageal biopsy specimens (85%) and from 5 of 5 esophageal carcinomas (100%). Using immunohistochemistry, JCV T antigen was detected in 10 of 19 carcinomas (53%), agnoprotein was detected in 8 carcinomas (42%), p53 tumor suppressor was detected in 11 carcinomas (58%), and β‐catenin was detected in 4 carcinomas (21%). Zero of 51 normal, benign, and premalignant esophageal samples expressed viral proteins. Laser‐capture microdissection verified the presence and specificity of JCV DNA sequences. β‐Catenin and p53 were colocalized with JCV T‐antigen in the nuclei of neoplastic cells. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence for infection of gastrointestinal tract cells by JCV and suggest a potential role of JCV in the development of upper digestive tract carcinomas. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

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This initial pilot study suggests that botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis improves both gastric emptying and symptoms.

Unlike the bulk of medications, described in this fascicle, that cause liver injury in humans, acetaminophen is a non-prescription drug that can be purchased in drug stores and supermarkets without a physician's involvement. Death or severe injury is far more likely to occur with its use than with all the other medications considered in this study. Whereas attempts to control the quantity of drug ingested have been made in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, no comparable moves have taken place in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration claims to have concerns about the situation, however, but has yet to make an effort to more closely regulate the marketing and distribution of the drug. It is to be hoped that this will not be the case by the time the next issue of Drug Hepatotoxicity is scheduled for this series.