Merkel cell polyomavirus IgG antibody levels are associated with progression to AIDS among HIV-infected individuals

Arch Virol. 2017 Apr;162(4):963-969. doi: 10.1007/s00705-016-3186-z. Epub 2016 Dec 20.

Abstract

The association of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in immunocompromised individuals has been revealed in a number of surveys. The study of MCPyV specific antibody titers and viral loads in such patients has a great attraction for research groups interested in viral reactivation. In this cross-sectional study to evaluate MCPyV antibody titer, DNA prevalence and viral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we examined 205 HIV-1 infected patients and 100 un-infected controls. The HIV-1 infected patients divided into two groups (HIV/AIDS and non-AIDS) according to their CD4 status. Total IgG antibody titer against MCPyV was analyzed by virus like particle (VLP)-based enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Presence of MCPyV-DNA in subject's PBMCs was examined by quantitative real-time PCR assay. Levels of anti-MCPyV IgG in HIV/AIDS patients were significantly higher than those in non-AIDS HIV-infected and control subjects (p value = <0.001). The prevalence rate of MCPyV-DNA in PBMCs of HIV/AIDS, non-AIDS HIV-infected and un-infected controls were 17%, 16%, and 14% respectively. The MCPyV viral load among the groups ranged between 0.15 to 2.9 copies/103cells (median, 1.9 copies/103cells), with no significant difference between the studied populations (p value = 0.3).

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / blood*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / virology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
  • Male
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus / genetics
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus / immunology*
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus / physiology
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G