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. 2015 Jan 14;2(1):e58.
doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000058. eCollection 2015 Feb.

Markers of JC virus infection in patients with multiple sclerosis under natalizumab therapy

Valeria Clausi  1 , Simone Giannecchini  1 , Eliana Magnani  1 , Anna Repice  1 , Claudia Mechi  1 , Francesco Martelli  1 , Alberta Azzi  1 , Luca Massacesi  1
Affiliations

Markers of JC virus infection in patients with multiple sclerosis under natalizumab therapy

Valeria Clausi et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) infection and anti-JCPyV antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis under natalizumab therapy.

Methods: Presence of anti-JCPyV antibodies and JCPyV DNA was analyzed in 39 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis undergoing natalizumab therapy. Anti-JCPyV antibodies were evaluated in serum by a 2-step virus-like particle-based ELISA assay (Stratify), and JCPyV DNA was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma, and urine by quantitative PCR. The anti-JCPyV antibodies were evaluated in serum samples collected at the same time or later than those collected for DNA analysis.

Results: JCPyV DNA was detected in 59% of patients, and anti-JCPyV antibodies were present in 67%. JCPyV DNA occurred more often in blood than in urine. Anti-JCPyV antibodies were observed in 70% of the JCPyV-infected patients, and JCPyV DNA was detected in 50% of the patients without anti-JCPyV antibodies. When JCPyV DNA was investigated in blood and urine the frequency of infection was higher than previously described.

Conclusion: Under these experimental conditions, with respect to the observed frequency of JCPyV infection, the sensitivity of the anti-JCPyV antibody assay was lower than expected.

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