BK and JC Viruses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Persons: Prevalence, Excretion, Viremia, and Viral Regulatory Regions

Abstract

Human polyomavirus BK (BKV) and JC (JCV) infections were examined in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). High frequencies of BKV (24%) and JCV viruria (16%) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BKV viruria was not found in an immunocompetent control group, in contrast to a frequency of JCV viruria of 20%. The degree of HIV-induced immunodeficiency did not influence the prevalence of BKV viruria, in contrast to cytomegalovirus viruria, suggesting BKV reactivation is an early manifestation in HIV infection as well as a temporal sequence of opportunistic infections. BKV DNA but not JCV DNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 2 of 42 subjects by a sensitive nested PCR. Sequencing of viral noncoding control regions (NCCRs) revealed predominantly archetypal and TU type BKV NCCRs but only archetypal JCV NCCRs. A new, naturally occurring BKV NCCR variant was detected in 1 urine specimen and 2 PBMC samples, indicating a stable and biologically significant rearrangement. Serum levels of BKV antibodies do not seem to be diagnostically useful in HIV-infected persons.

Human polyomaviruses JC and BK in the urine of Brazilian children and adolescents vertically infected by HIV

“…In a previous study in HIV-positive individuals, JCV and BKV sequences were found in 31.6% and 8.1%, respectively, of urine samples, whereas the positive test rate was 22.8% for JCV and as high as 51.1% for BKV in PBMCs (Sundsfjord et al 1994).…”

“…Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are a second important site of BKV latency. Compared to healthy subjects, there is an increased incidence of viruria in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, ranging from 20-44% in most studies (Markowitz et al 1993, Sundsfjord et al 1994, Degener et al 1997, Behzad-Behbahani et al 2004.…”

Human α-Defensins Inhibit BK Virus Infection by Aggregating Virions and Blocking Binding to Host Cells

“…Currently, a reduction of immunosuppressive therapy is effectively used to decrease viral replication in PVN patients suggesting that a functional immune system is critical in controlling BKV replication and pathology (11). The incidence of BKV reactivation also increases in many other groups of immunocompromised individuals (12)(13)(14)(15). Some work has focused on dissecting which components of the immune system control BKV replication.…”

Detección de polyomavirus BK y JC en extractos leucocitarios de sangre periférica de pacientes con infección por VIH del área norte de Santiago

“…Estudios previos en pacientes sanos habían mostrado prevalencias muy diversas que oscilaron entre 7% y 92% en muestras de leucocitos 13 . En pacientes inmunocomprometidos también se ha determinado porcentajes diversos entre 4,7% en países nórdicos y 25% en Italia con técnicas más recientes 14,15 ; no puede excluirse la posibilidad de que la mejora en la sensibilidad de las técnicas de diagnóstico haya sido un factor relevante en la obtención de datos tan disímiles. Por otro lado, la mayor parte de estudios se ha focalizado en la búsqueda de genoma viral en muestras de orina, donde presuntamente se estaría detectando partículas virales; la búsqueda en leucocitos periféricos, tal como en este trabajo, está más focalizado en la búsqueda de genomas persistentes en células, donde no necesariamente está habiendo replicación activa, pero que podrían llevar a una reactivación posterior.…”