JC virus antibody status underestimates infection rates

Joseph R. Berger, Sidney A. Houff, Julie Gurwell, Nubia Vega, Craig S. Miller, Robert J. Danaher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective JC virus (JCV) seropositivity is a risk factor for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients on natalizumab. Accordingly, the JCV serological antibody test is of paramount importance in determining disease risk. Methods We tested the accuracy of the JCV serum antibody test by comparing the results of JCV serology to JCV viruria and viremia in 67 patients enrolled in a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Bodily fluids (urine and blood) were assessed for JCV DNA by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction 6 to 47 months (mean = 26.1 months) before JCV antibody testing. In 10 individuals, blood and urine samples were obtained on 2 separate occasions at 6-month intervals. Results Forty (59.7%) of the 67 patients were JCV seropositive. Of 27 JCV seronegative patients, 10 (37%) had JCV viruria. Urine JCV DNA copy numbers were significantly higher in the seropositive group (mean log copy number = 5.93, range = 1.85-9.21) than the seronegative group (mean log copy number = 2.41, range = 1.85-5.43; p = 0.0026). Considering all body fluid test results, 50 (74.6%) of the 67 patients were previously infected with JCV. Interpretation The false-negative rate of the JCV serology in this study was 37%; therefore, JCV serostatus does not appear to identify all patients infected with JCV. Thus, a negative JCV antibody result should not be conflated with absence of JCV infection. This discordance may be important in understanding JCV biology, risk for PML, and PML pathogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)84-90
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume74
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'JC virus antibody status underestimates infection rates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this