Seroprevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus in the general rural population of Anyang, China

Abstract

Background: Despite the probably causal link between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin malignancy, little is known about the seroepidemiology of MCPyV among healthy adults in China.

Methods: Serum antibodies against MCPyV were evaluated by multiplex serology in a population-based study of 5548 adults (including 1587 heterosexual couples) aged 25-65 years who were enrolled from rural Anyang, China in 2007-2009. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk factors for the seropositivity of MCPyV.

Results: The seroprevalence for MCPyV was 61.0%. MCPyV seropositivity was significantly higher in males than in females (64.5% vs. 57.7%, P<0.001), and for both genders, showed a trend of increase with age (Male: Ptrend<0.001; Female: P(trend)<0.001). Furthermore, among antibody positives, antibody levels of MCPyV increased with advancing age (P(trend )=0.017). MCPyV seropositivity of one spouse was significantly associated with that of the other partner (Adjusted OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.07-1.62). However, there was no association between sexual behaviors and the seropositivity of MCPyV.

Conclusions: High seroprevalence of MCPyV was observed in healthy Chinese individuals. Serological evidence suggests that nonsexual horizontal spread of MCPyV can occur among family members, and further research in this regard is needed.

Figure 1. Distribution of the seroresponses for MCPyV by age and gender.

Presented are seroresponses of 5548 healthy adults aged 25–65 years who were enrolled from rural Anyang, China, 2007–2009. The strength of the antibody reactions was plotted against the percentile according to age and gender. Color codes for age groups in years and the chosen cut-off of 1000 MFI are as indicated. The figure can be interpreted as follows (upper left panel, MCPyV antibodies among all subjects): For individuals aged 25–30 years, about 50% showed antibody reactions above 1000 MFI (that is, the seroprevalence of MCPyV is 50% using the cut-off of 1000 MFI) and about 30% above 10000 MFI (that is, the seroprevalence of MCPyV is 30% using the cut-off of 10000 MFI). NOTE. MCPyV: Merkel cell polyomavirus; MFI: mean fluorescence intensity.