Merkel Cell Polyomavirus DNA Sequences in the Blood of Healthy Population of Pakistan

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed at detecting and quantifying Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) viral loads in the peripheral blood of healthy Pakistani individuals. Patients & methods: A total of 221 whole blood samples obtained from healthy individuals were examined by qPCR. Results & conclusion: MCPyV was detected in the peripheral blood of 31.2% healthy individuals. The rate of MCPyV positivity decreased from young (36%), to middle (33.7%) and elder (25.3%) age groups. Our data revealed higher prevalence of MCPyV in women (43.93%) than men (25.80%). The MCPyV viral load was calculated in the range of 0.06 –11 copies/ng of isolated DNA. The MCPyV viral load increased from young (median = 3.35) to elder (median = 5.66) age groups. The MCPyV circulate at a higher frequency by residing dormant in certain blood cells, which might act as potential vehicles for the spread of MCPyV infection among general population.

Merkel cell polyomavirus and its etiological relationship with skin tumors

“…The presence of MCPyV DNA, showing variable viral loads by the PCR technique, has also been described in several non-tumor tissues, such as skin, peripheral blood, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts, adrenal gland, spleen, bone marrow, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, heart, and aorta, albeit with a relatively low viral load, between 0.00026 and 0.22 copies per cell. 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 On average, the number of copies of the MCPyV viral genome was 60 times lower in healthy tissues, when compared to MCC samples. 28 …”

Decreased IgG Antibody Response to Viral Protein Mimotopes of Oncogenic Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Sera From Healthy Elderly Subjects

“…Physiological immune impairment as a result of aging, or immunosenescence, could therefore favor high levels of MCPyV replication, ultimately leading to MCC onset. It has been reported that MCPyV viral load increases among elders, suggesting an age-related association of viral replication in the host ( 34 , 48 ). Considering these aspects, assessing the impact of MCPyV infection in various immunocompromised groups, including elders, can improve early identification of individuals at risk of developing MCC.…”