JC Virus

New multifocal leukoencephalopathy research from University of Basel described

"We identified PML cases (n = 29), as well as three matched controls per case (n = 87), with prospectively cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma at diagnosis. Nested controls were matched according to age, gender, CD4(+) T-cell count, and decline. Survivors (n = 18) were defined as being alive for >1 year after diagnosis. Using gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assays, we found that JCV-specific T-cell responses were lower in nonsurvivors than in their matched controls (P = 0.08), which was highly significant for laboratory-and histologically confirmed PML cases (P = 0.004). No difference was found between PML survivors and controls or for cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell responses. PML survivors showed significant increases in JCV-specific T cells (P = 0.04) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses (P = 0.005). IgG responses in survivors were positively correlated with CD4(+) T-cell counts (P = 0.049) and negatively with human immunodeficiency virus RNA loads (P = 0.03). We conclude that PML nonsurvivors had selectively impaired JCV-specific T-cell responses compared to CD4(+) T-cell-matched controls and failed to mount JCV-specific antibody responses," wrote N. Khanna and colleagues, University of Basel.

The researchers concluded: "JCV-specific T-cell and IgG responses may serve as prognostic markers for patients at risk."

Khanna and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Virology (JC Virus-Specific Immune Responses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Patients with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy. Journal of Virology, 2009;83(9):4404-4411).

For more information, contact H.H. Hirsch, University of Basel, Institute Med Microbiology, Dept. of Biomedical, Peterspl 10, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Virology is: American Society Microbiology, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA.

Keywords: Switzerland, Basel, AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Clinical Trial Research, Gender Health, Gender Medicine, HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Infection, Immunology, Interferon, JC Virus, Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, Neurology, Polyomavirus, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Virology, Women's Health, University of Basel.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, AIDS Weekly via NewsRx.com.