Detection of merkel cell polyomavirus in oral samples of renal transplant recipients without Merkel cell carcinoma

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, with approximately 80% of cases associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). The lack of information concerning its occurrence in non-MCC immunosuppressed populations led to the investigation of MCPyV DNA in saliva and oral biopsies from 60 kidney allograft recipients and 75 non-transplanted individuals (control group). In contrast to herpesviruses, which was also investigated (CMV, HHV-6A, and B, HHV-7) MCPyV was detected predominantly in patients with oral lesions (gingivitis and/or periodontitis) of both transplanted and non-transplanted groups (P=0.016) and in the saliva of the transplanted group (P=0.009). MCPyV co-detection with CMV (P=0.048), and HHV-6 (P=0.020) in the saliva of transplanted patients requires further investigation on a possible role of co-infection.

Low prevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus with low viral loads in oral and maxillofacial tumours or tumour-like lesions from immunocompetent patients: Absence of Merkel cell polyomavirus-associated neoplasms

“…In this study, MCPyV was present in 25% of immunosuppressed patients, which was compatible with the prevalence data of Baez et al (15). It is evident that our estimated prevalence (1/4, 25%) was higher compared with that for oral or jaw lesions from immunocompetent patients (25/381, 6.6%; P=0.2448, Fisher's exact test).…”

“…Baez et al (15) reported that MCPyV was present in 36.7% samples of saliva and 21.4% oral tissue samples from immunosuppressed patients. In this study, MCPyV was present in 25% of immunosuppressed patients, which was compatible with the prevalence data of Baez et al (15).…”

“…Moreover, certain investigators have reported that low viral loads of MCPyV have also been detected in normal human tissue samples, including skin, liver and respiratory secretions, suggesting that this virus is widespread in the human body (7,17). However, previous studies on the frequency of MCPyV infection in oral tumours or tumour-like lesions are partial and incomplete (7,15). High viral loads of MCPyV were detected in all saliva samples from 10 patients without cancer (7).…”

“…MCPyV has been detected in MCC patients and appears to play a key role in tumourigenesis; ~80% of MCCs harbour MCPyV (1). Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), MCPyV has been detected in malignant and benign tumours (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Moreover, certain investigators have reported that low viral loads of MCPyV have also been detected in normal human tissue samples, including skin, liver and respiratory secretions, suggesting that this virus is widespread in the human body (7,17).…”

First Report of Three Major Oncogenic Viruses: Human Papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr Virus And Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Penile Cancer

“…For the detection and typing of EBV, a nested-PCR was conducted [10], showing EBV-2 genotype. MCPyV molecular detection was performed through nested-PCR using primers for the LT3 region [11]. For analysis confirmation, the 183bp amplicon produced in the nested-PCR was sequenced and revealed 100% homology with MCPyV through a BLAST query.…”